Q&A

What is a Charter Public School?

Charter public schools were established in 1993 by the Legislature to provide educational choice for parents, expand educational opportunity for their children, and promote change in their districts.

In exchange for some regulatory freedoms (in school management, budgeting, mission, and academic program), charter public schools are held to high levels of accountability. They must successfully

manage school finances and operations, and they must demonstrate student achievement; if they don't, the schools can be closed.

Are charter public schools private schools?

No. They are tuition-free public schools. Charters are established by parents and community leaders who believe there are educational needs that are not being met by district schools. They operate independent of local school districts and local government and are overseen by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).

Charter public schools are managed by a public board of trustees. There are 72 charter public schools operating in Massachusetts (as of Sept. 2011).

Who can attend a charter public school?

Charter public schools are public schools open to everyone, free of charge. They cannot - and do not - select their students. If there are more students than available seats, they hold public lotteries to determine who will attend.

The first SABIS-managed charter school opened in Springfield in 1995, and its 1,574 students are admitted by lottery. There are nearly 3,000 students on the waiting list.

Statewide, there are more than 32,000 children enrolled in charters with nearly 35,500 on wait lists. That's a little more than 2% of statewide enrollment.
 

Do charter public schools serve “all” students?

Yes. In all charters, including in the proposed International Charter School, enrollment is determined by a random lottery. Charter public schools are open to all students and its student make-up is determined by the make-up of the applicant pool. Both SABIS schools in Massachusetts serve a diverse student body.

Statewide, 50% of students enrolled in charter public schools are students of color, compared to 23% state-wide; 46% of students in charter public schools are enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program compared with 31% state-wide.

Compared to host districts, charters serve a far higher percentage of African American and Hispanic children, an equivalent percentage of low-income students, and lower percentages of special needs students and children who are designated "Limited English Proficient" (LEP). Designating children as "special needs" or LEP depends on a subjective analysis by school administrators. Charter public schools avoid over-labeling these children and strive to educate them in regular classrooms.
 

How are charter public schools funded?

Charters are funded by allocating a portion of education spending from districts based on how much money districts spent on each student. Since districts no longer educate these students, they no longer receive the funding. However, districts that host charters receive additional aid from the state. Every time there is an increase in the amount of money that is allocated to charters - whether it be because a new charter opens or because there is an increase in district spending - those dollars are reimbursed by the state for six years at a rate of 100% the first year and 25% for the next five years. That means districts get more than double their money back over that period, giving them time to adjust their budgets for the loss of enrollment.

Are private for-profit organizations permitted to operate charter public schools?

Yes. Charter school boards of trustees are permitted by law to contract for some or all educational services from private companies. In the same way that regular public school districts contract for busing, software, textbooks, etc. with private companies, charter schools are also able to contract for day-to-day school management services. Under such a contract, the role of the board of trustees is to ensure that the educational services provider is fulfilling the terms of the contract.

Who oversees charter public schools?

Since charter public schools are independent of the local school district, they are overseen by the state. The schools are evaluated every year by the state Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE). Charters must be renewed every five years. If the schools do not live up to the high standards established by the state, they can be closed. Several have. Charter finances are reviewed by independent auditors and are also subject to additional audits by the State Auditor. Massachusetts' application process and oversight practices have been rated the toughest in the nation.