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About Charter Public Schools

Charter schools are public schools that are responsive to students’ needs and are held accountable for improved student achievement. Utilizing the freedom and flexibility afforded under California law, charter schools create learning programs that effectively meet individual students’ needs. Charter schools get results because they:

• Can make quick and effective changes to impact individual student academic progress
• Empower teachers to make important decisions in their classrooms
• Engage parents to work together with teachers and students to accelerate academic progress
  
  

  Like traditional public schools, all charter public schools:

  • Are open to the public (oversubscribed schools must conduct a lottery)
  • Are tuition-free
  • Participate in state tests (STAR/CST, CAHSEE and California Physical Fitness Test)
  • Employ credentialed teachers in core subjects
  • Do not discriminate

  Why Charter Schools

  Students thrive in a charter school’s responsive academic environment. With more flexibility than traditional public schools on curriculum, staffing and budgeting, charter schools can make quick and effective changes to respond to the unique needs of their student body. And teachers in charter schools, the adult closest to the child, are empowered to make important decisions to accelerate a child’s academic progress.

  Student Achievement

  Charter schools are performing as well as, in many cases better than, the broader public school system. Research shows that charter schools do a better job improving student achievement than traditional public schools. An analysis of the California Department of Educations Academic Performance Index (API) from 2004 – 2007 indicates that 11% more charter schools show substantially higher student achievement than traditional public schools.

  About the Association

  The California Charter Schools Association (The Association) is the membership and professional organization serving charter schools in California.

   The California Charter Schools Association advances the charter school movement through state and local advocacy, leadership on quality and extensive member resources. In 2007, the Association delivered the following results:

  ADVOCACY

  The Association worked with the California legislature to secure over 150 million dollars in categorical block grant funding for the 2007/2008 school year, increas­ing the grant to $500 per charter school student.

  LEADERSHIP ON QUALITY

  The Association launched the nation’s first Certified Char­ter Schools Program with over 460 schools participating.

  RESOURCES

  The Association facilitated knowledge sharing through hundreds of reference documents, regional meetings and trainings.

User Name:MySchool
Real Name:Laura Kerr
Email:laurak@charterassociation.org
Address:
California Charter Schools Association
1107 9th Street, STE 700
Sacramento, CA 95814
Cell:(916)230-7496
Member Since:March 13, 2008
Last Signed In:April 23, 2009