Frequently Asked Questions: Charter Schools
When did the most recent charter law go into effect?
The most recent charter law went into effect as of Aug. 28, 2016.
In the past, charter schools were only permitted within the boundaries of the St. Louis City School District and Kansas City School District. Where are schools permitted now?
Except as further provided in subsection 4 of this section, charter schools may be operated
only:
1. In a metropolitan school district;
2. In an urban school district containing most or all of a city with a population greater than three hundred fifty thousand inhabitants;
3. In a school district that has been classified as unaccredited by the state board of education;
4. In a school district that has been classified as provisionally accredited by the state board of education and has received scores on its annual performance report consistent with a classification of provisionally accredited or unaccredited for three consecutive school
years under the following conditions:
a.The eligibility for charter schools of any school district whose provisional accreditation is based in whole or in part on financial stress as defined in sections 161.520 to 161.529, or on financial hardship as defined by rule of the state board of education, shall be decided by a vote of the state board of education during the third consecutive school year after the designation of provisional accreditation; and
b.The sponsor is limited to the local school board or a sponsor who has met the standards of accountability and performance as determined by the department based on sections 160.400 to 160.425 and section 167.349 and properly promulgated rules of the department; or
5. In a school district that has been accredited without provisions, sponsored only by the local school board; provided that no board with a current year enrollment of one thousand five hundred fifty students or greater shall permit more than thirty-five percent of its student enrollment to enroll in charter schools.
Do charter schools still have to have a sponsor?
Yes. Refer toSection 160.400(3), RSMo 2012:
Except as further provided in subsection 4 of this section, the following entities are eligible to sponsor charter schools:
1. The school board of the district in any district which is sponsoring a charter school as of August 27, 2012, as permitted under subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection 2 of this section, the special administrative board of a metropolitan school district during any time in which powers granted to the district’s board of education are vested in a special administrative board, or if the state board of education appoints a special administrative board to retain the authority granted to the board of education of an urban school district containing most or all of a city with a population greater than three hundred fifty thousand inhabitants, the special administrative board of such school district;
2. Apublic four-year college or university with an approved teacher education program that meets regional or national standards of accreditation;
3. A community college, the service area of which encompasses some portion of the district;
4. Any private four-year college or university with an enrollment of at least one thousand students, with its primary campus in Missouri, and with an approved teacher preparation program;
5. Any two-year private vocational or technical school designated as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which is a member of the North Central Association and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission,
with its primary campus in Missouri; or
6. The Missouri Charter Public School Commission created in section 160.425.
Clarification: In accredited districts, only the local school board can sponsor a charter school. After three consecutive years of classification as a provisionally accredited or unaccredited district, schools in that district can be sponsored by any of the entities listed in 160.400(3) after
approval from the State Board of Education.
What school districts are unaccredited in Missouri?
Are sponsors paid any funds for sponsoring charter schools?
What are the expectations for being a sponsor?
What is the application process to become a charter school sponsor?
The Department of Elementary establishes an application and approval process for all entities eligible to sponsor charters. Guidelines are available and applications for sponsorship must be submitted by February 1. The application will include, at a minimum:
What is the timeline for applying to be a sponsor?
Is a charter school considered a public or private school?
Charter schools are considered public schools.
Can anyone attend a charter school?
A charter school may establish a geographical area around the school whose residents will receive a preference for enrolling in the school, provided that such preferences do not result in the establishment of racially or socioeconomically isolated schools and provided such preferences conform to policies and guidelines established by the state board of education. If capacity is insufficient to enroll all pupils who submit a timely application, the charter school shall have an admissions process lottery that assures all applicants of an equal chance of gaining admission.
What restrictions are placed on charter board members?
What is the process for opening a new charter school?
A charter school shall be, as provided in its charter: nonsectarian, compliant with laws and regulations of the state, county or city relating to health safety, state minimum educational standards, financially accountable, compliant with all federal audit requirements, providing a comprehensive program of instruction, measuring pupil progress, submitting an annual report card, compliant with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding students with disabilities, and numerous other requirements.
Refer to Sections 160.400 to 160.425 and 167.349 , RSMo 2012.
What is the timeline for opening a charter school?
How are state funds distributed to charter schools?
Charter schools receive funding just like other public school/LEAs. They report their Average Daily Attendance through the core data system at the Department.
Do charter schools h ave to participate in the state wide testing program?
Yes, charter schools must participate in the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP).
Are charter school MAP scores published somewhere?
Some Missouri charter schools have closed in recent years. How did this happen?
Closure of charter schools in Missouri has occurred for a variety of reasons including poor academic performance, financial distress or unsafe conditions. Sometimes the charter school boards make the decision to close a charter school because the school is financially insolvent. Other schools have closed because the school did not reach the goals agreed upon with their sponsors, so the sponsor closed them. Others have closed because their sponsor ceased being their sponsor due to poor performance.
Once a charter school is approved, do they have to be renewed for so many years?
Charter schools may only be renewed for five-year terms.
Do teachers and administrators have to be certified to work in a charter school ?
Yes, teachers must be certificated to work in a charter school. There is a provision given in Missouri Charter School Law for charter schools in Missouri to have 80 percent of their teachers certificated and 20 percent qualified to teach with certification in other states, countries, etc.
Are charter schools responsible for all accountability measures expected of public schools in the state?
Charter schools are held accountable for all performance standards applicable to the grades served in the school. Charter schools are not held accountable for resource and process standards.
Do charter schools offer summer schools like other public schools?
Like any public school, charter schools have the option to offer a 120 hour summer school. Many charter schools do, but it is a local decision that is made by the charter board.