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CHARTER SCHOOLS General Information Charter schools are public schools under contract — or under a charter — from a public agency to groups of parents, teachers, school administrators, or others who want to create more alternatives and choice within the public school system. The schools are free and open to all, and designed to be publicly accountable, as well as creative, flexible, and responsive to student and parent needs. In interviews with charter school students around the U.S., these characteristics were commonly used to describe charter schools: high and clear academic expectations, a safe environment, individualized instruction, committed staff , and a “good family.” Charter schools by law do not receive public funding for capital acquisitions or improvements. The first charter school began operation in Minnesota in 1991. Twenty five states and the District of Columbia now have charter laws, and educators and parents have currently initiated an estimated 350 functioning charger schools (1996-1997). The federal government has funded a 4 year independent study of the impact of charter schools on student achievement which is currently underway. IN ARIZONA, legislation creating charter schools was passed in the summer or 1994 as part of an education reform package. There are now 113 charter schools operating in 166 sites throughout the state. An estimated 17,000 students from diverse populations are participating in curricula ranging from American Sign Language to School-to-Work. Schools are motivated to ensure fiscal and academic integrity and charters will be evaluated on a 5 year basis. Arizona Charter School Overview 47% of schools are chartered for one or more grades ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade. Twelve schools chartered in the state identify their curriculum as “arts-based.” Pine Forest School is the only Waldorf-inspired school in operation in Arizona. Pine Forest Charter School, made possible in 1995 by Arizona Charter legislation, is modeled upon the Waldorf approach to education in an effort to make available to Northern Arizona families a successful educational system previously found only in private school settings. |
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