Charter Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1.    What are charter schools?

Charter schools are public schools that operate under a performance contract, or a “charter” which frees them from most rules and state statutes created for traditional public schools. 

2.    What is the purpose of charter schools?

Florida statutory provisions require charter schools to fulfill the following purposes:

• Improve student learning and academic achievement;

• Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on low-performing students;

• Encourage the use of innovative learning methods;

• Require the measurement of learning outcomes; and

• Create new professional opportunities for teachers.

Additionally, statutory provisions authorize charter schools to fulfill the following purposes:

• Create innovative measurement tools;

• Provide rigorous competition within the public school district in order to stimulate continued improvement in all public schools; and

• Expand the capacity of the public school system.

3.    What types of students are eligible to attend a charter school?

A charter school must be open to receive any student covered in an inter-district agreement or residing in the school district in which the charter school is located.

 Enrollment preference may be given to:

• A sibling of a current charter school student;

• A child of a charter school governing board member; or,

• A child of a charter school employee.

4.    What are the eligibility requirements for charter schools?

A charter school is statutorily required to:

• Be non-sectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and operations;

• Admit students as specified in Question #3;

• Not charge tuition and fees;

• Be accountable to the school district for its performance;

• Comply with all applicable state and local health, safety, and civil rights requirements;

• Not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, handicap, or marital status;

• Subject itself to an annual financial audit;

• Maintain all financial records that constitute its accounting system in accordance with current law; and

• Annually adopt and maintain an operating budget.

5.    How are charter schools evaluated and assessed?

Every charter school must be evaluated on academic progress and the outcomes agreed upon in the school’s binding contract.  In addition, individual charter schools are evaluated and assigned a school grade using the same standards and criteria as traditional public schools

6.    Are charter schools required to employ certified teachers?

Yes.  Statutory provisions require all employed teachers by or under contract with the charter school to be certified by current Florida law.