California State Profile of Charter Schools

Last updated: 02-09-2009
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State-Specific Primer

California_Primer.pdf The California Primer, entitled, "Technical Assistance for California Charter Schools on Implementing Special Education Requirements," includes sections on federal laws, targeted information for charter authorizers and operators, and a glossary of terms.

Overview

Year Law Passed	# of Charter Schools	# of Students Enrolled
1992	750	276,000

Statewide Support Organizations California Charter Schools Association California Department of Education Charter Schools Development Center (CA) Legislative Summary Law:   California Charter Schools Laws, Regulations, and Policies Amendment(s):   Recent amendments to the charter school law, which was put into effect January, 2003, include provisions such as new geographic restrictions for charter schools, new authority for county offices of education, as well as changes to funding and facilities. The CSU Institute for Education Reform has posted a California's Revised Charter School Laws page, which contains general documentation of the recent legislative changes in California's charter school law, as well as a Charter School News page, which contains updates on CA charter school issues by IER staff. Authorizers:   Local school board or county board of education. The state board of education may approve charter schools operating in multiple sites throughout the state. If all sites are within a given county, the petition for the charter must go to the county board. Length of charter:   up to 5 years Caps on number of schools:   250 schools in 1998-99, with 100 additional charters allowed per year. Funding:   General purpose and categorical funding for charter schools is comparable with other public schools, and charter schools may receive funds directly from the state.