Minnesota was the first state to pass a charter school law in 1991. Albert Shanker, president of the American Federation of Teachers, embraced the concept in 1988, when he called for the reform of the public schools by establishing "charter schools" or "schools of choice." Gloria Ladson-Billings called him "the first person to publicly propose charter schools." At the time, a few schools already existed that were not called charter schools but embodied some of their principles, such as H-B Woodlawn.Īs originally conceived, the ideal model of a charter school was as a legally and financially autonomous public school (without tuition, religious affiliation, or selective student admissions) that would operate much like a private business-free from many state laws and district regulations, and accountable more for student outcomes rather than for processes or inputs (such as Carnegie Units and teacher certification requirements). This idea, called "Independent Public Schools" was expanded on in their 1978 volume, "Education by Choice." The term "charter schools" was defined In 1974 by University of Massachusetts Amherst professor Ray Budde. In 1971, UC Berkeley professors Stephen Sugarman and Jack Coons published "Family Choice in Education" which outlined the concept of a charter school model. The charter school idea in the United States had several originating sources. The first charter school law was in Minnesota in 1991. Two-thirds of charter schools are freestanding and independent, though some charters are managed through a charter or educational management organization, which can be for-profit and non-profit entities that can manage one or more charter schools. Some charter schools provide a specialized curriculum (for example in arts, mathematics, or vocational training).Ĭharter schools may be founded by individuals or teacher-parent groups. They educate the majority of children in New Orleans Public Schools. Waiting lists grew from an average of 233 in 2009 to 277 in 2012, with places allocated by a lottery. In 2015 alone, more than 400 new charter schools opened while 270 schools closed due to low enrollment, lack of finances or low performance. Īs of 2016–2017 there were an estimated 6,900 public charter schools in 42 states and the District of Columbia with approximately 3.1 million students, a sixfold increase in enrollment over the past 15 years. Only non-profit charters can receive donations from private sources, just the same as traditional public schools. However, there are some for-profit management organizations that hold charters, though these are only allowed in Arizona.
Charters are run as either non-profit or for-profit institutions. Proponents argue that they are meant to serve underserved communities that wish to have alternatives to their neighborhood school. Charter schools are subject to fewer rules than traditional state schools in exchange for greater accountability. They are funded with public tax dollars, though they also fundraise independently. These contracts, or charters, are how charters schools bear their name. Charter schools have a contract with local school districts or other authorizing bodies which allow them to operate. Charter schools in the United States are primary or secondary education institutions that are public schools which are publicly funded and operate independently, rather than being overseen by local school districts.
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