Facts about Arizona Charter Schools

Arizona charter schools are designed to give parents more choices in education as well as creating a competitive educational marketplace – forever changing education in Arizona. Charter schools are established to provide a learning environment that will improve pupil achievement. Parents now can compare educational opportunities and decide which school will provide the best educational experience for their families.

• Arizona charter schools are public, state-funded schools.
• Charter schools were created through legislation in 1994.
• Charter schools contract with the state, or a district, to provide an education service.
• Charters schools receive approximately 20% less per pupil than public schools do.
• Charter schools cannot charge tuition.
• The State does not provide funding for charter school facilities and charter schools cannot raise funds for facilities through school bonds.
• Charter schools are public schools that serve as alternatives to traditional public schools, and charter schools may not be subject to all of the requirements governing other public schools.
• Charter schools are eligible for the Arizona Department of Revenue School Tax Credit Program. (Link)

 

Charter School Requirements Enforced by the State

Charter Schools must comply with all provisions of applicable law to receive state funding as prescribed.

A Charter School shall assure:

• Compliance with federal, state and local rules, regulations and statutes pertaining to health, safety, civil rights, insurance and education of children with disabilities.
  
• Compliance with the same financial requirements as a school district, including Uniform System of Financial Record, Procurement Rules and Audit Requirement.
• That it designs a method to measure pupil progress toward pupil outcomes adopted by the State Board of 
• Education, including participation in the AIMS at the prescribed grade levels, the nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement tests and the completion of an Annual Report Card.
  
• That it is exempt from all statutes and rules pertaining to schools, governing boards and school districts except the aforementioned.
  
• That it is nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices and all other operations.
  
• That it provides a comprehensive education program of instruction for at least a kindergarten or any grade(s) between one and twelve, but may emphasize a specific learning philosophy or style or certain subject area.