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Q: What is a Charter System?
A: A charter system is a
local school system that is operating under the terms of a contract between the local Board of Education and the State Board of Education as provided by the Charter Systems
Act. A Charter System provides the opportunity for teachers, administrators, parents, and school boards to have greater flexibility to determine the educational needs of
students within their district and requires a certain degree of school level governance in the system. To become a charter system, the local school system must submit a
charter school petition to the Department of Education after such petition has been approved by the local board. As a charter system all schools within the system are
charter schools. Therefore, the following questions that discuss a single charter school will apply to all schools in a charter system.
Q: What is a charter petition?
A: A charter petition
includes:
An education plan or school improvement plan
A governance plan
A business plan
School organization plan
Waivers needed to implement proposed plans
Q: What is the difference between a charter school system and a
traditional public school system?
A: A traditional public school system is organized according to federal laws, state school laws, State Board of Education
rules, and local board of education policies. A charter school system is organized according to federal laws, applicable state school laws and SBOE rules that cannot be
waived, and the terms of the charter contract.
Q: What is the difference between a charter school and a magnet or theme school?
A: The charter school concept is an organization model. The focus is on
how the school is organized, governed, and managed. Instructional strategies will vary from one charter school to the next. A charter school cannot have admission criteria.
The magnet or theme school is an instructional model. The focus is on the
instructional strategy implemented at the school, for example, a focus on technology or performing arts. Some magnet schools have admission criteria.
Q: What is the difference between a charter school and a private school?
A: A charter school is a public school that is organized and operated according to
the terms of the charter, or contract. A charter school cannot have admissions criteria or charge tuition.
A private school is not subject to state school laws, local board of education
policies, or State Board of Education rules. Private schools may have admissions criteria and charge tuition.
Q: Who can attend a charter school?
A: Any student who resides in the school district in which the charter school is located may attend a charter school. A charter school cannot have admission criteria.
Q: How are charter schools funded?
A: Charter schools are public schools. The Georgia Charter Schools Act of 1998 states that a charter school shall be included in the allotment of funds to the local school system in which the charter school is located. In addition, the charter school will receive federal funds for special education services and for other categorical program services to the extent to which any pupil is in the charter school is eligible to participate. If additional revenues are needed, the charter school must depend on independent means.
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