Frequently Asked Questions about Charter Schools

What is a Charter School?

A charter school is a free, nonsectarian, innovative public school that controls its own curriculum, staffing, organization, and budget. Charter schools are designed to deliver a unique program tailored to meet the needs of the students they serve. In exchange for their autonomy, charter schools must deliver the academic results they have promised in their charter contract.

How Do Charter Schools Differ From Traditional District Public Schools?

Although Tennessee charter schools are public schools, there are important differences. Generally, charter schools operate on three principles:

Accountability: Charter schools are evaluated on how well they meet the student achievement goals established by their charter contract. Charter schools must also demonstrate that they can meet rigorous fiscal and managerial standards. If a charter school cannot perform up to established standards, it can be closed by the charter authorizer, which is the local education agency (LEA).

Choice: Charter schools give families an opportunity to choose the school that best suits their child's educational well-being. Moreover, teachers, staff, and the principal have an opportunity to create and work at schools where they have the power to directly shape the learning environment and atmosphere that best serves their students.

Autonomy: While charter schools must adhere to many of the laws and regulations that govern traditional district public schools, they are freed from the bureaucracy that often diverts a school's energy and resources away from the mission of the school. As a result, charter school leaders can focus all of their efforts on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.

An important inequity to note is that charter schools do not receive separate funds to cover their facility needs. As a result, charter schools must seek additional funding from the private sector, engage in other fundraising efforts, or make undesirable budget cuts. Many charter proponents are pushing for legislation that equals the playing field in terms of funding for charter schools.

How Are Charter Schools Funded?

Like all traditional public schools, charters are funded according to enrollment, which is based on the average daily attendance (ADA). Charters receive 100% of state and local funding. However, unlike traditional public schools, charter schools in Tennessee do not receive funding to cover the cost of locating, securing, and renovating their school facility.

Because all charter schools are funded at a lower amount than traditional public schools, most charters turn to outside funding sources such as grants, fundraising drives, and the sweat equity of committed volunteers, parents, and local professionals. Since charter schools are public schools, they are not allowed to charge tuition. They are entitled to federal categorical funding for which their students are eligible, such as Title I and Special Education monies. Federal legislation provides grants to help charters with start-up costs.

Do Charter Schools Take Money from Public Schools?

No. Since charter schools are public schools, when a child leaves for a charter school the money ultimately follows that child. This benefits the public school system by instilling a sense of accountability into the system regarding its services to the student and parents and its fiscal obligations. Fiscally, charter schools have demonstrated efficiency. For more information on common misconceptions surrounding charter schools, please visit the Center for Education Reform’s web-site: CHARTER SCHOOLS: Six Common Criticisms from Opponents…and Proof That They are Unfounded.

Who Can Attend a Charter School?

The Tennessee charter school law outlines who can attend charter schools:

Students who were previously enrolled in a charter school.

Students who are assigned to, or were previously enrolled in a school failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP), as defined by the state’s accountability system, giving priority to at-risk students.

Students who, in the previous school year, failed to test proficient in the subjects of language arts/reading or mathematics in grades three (3) through eight (8) on the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program examinations (TCAP).

Students who, in the previous school year, failed to test proficient on the gateway examinations in language arts/reading or mathematics.