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Charter Schools Facts |
| Of the 25 states and District of Columbia
that have enacted charter laws since 1991, Arizona is considered strongest
in giving schools independence from state and local governance. According to Arizona's law: APPLICANTS Any public body, private group or individual may apply to open a charter. School district boards may sponsor an unlimited number, while the state Board of Education and the state Board for Charter Schools may each sponsor 25 a year.
ACCOUNTABILITY All charters are exempt from most state and local education laws except rules regarding health, safety, civil rights, special education, insurance and student testing assessments.
FUNDING If sponsored by a local board, a charter draws at least that district’s average cost per pupil. If sponsored by state board, Arizona’s funding formula earmarks about $4,040 per pupil. For the 1997-98 school year, the state will give charters $146 per elementary and middle school student and $219 per high school student for capital items annually.
Institute for Public Policy and the Department of Education
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