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Authorizers

Authorizers Presentation

This primer is for charter school authorizers and has been developed to provide background information and resources for the “builders” of charter schools to facilitate the successful inclusion of students with disabilities in charter schools. The primer opens with a general background on legal issues and responsibility for special education in charter schools. The main sections then follow the “stages or phases of life” of a charter school, including Pre-Authorization/Planning; Authorization; Oversight, Accountability and Renewal; and Non-Renewal, Revocation and Relinquishment, and Technical Assistance and Resources.

An authorizer is an office or organization that accepts applications, approves, exercises oversight and, after the period of approval, decides on renewal or revocation of a charter school. Some states use different terms for this role, e.g., sponsor.

Although there are many complex aspects of developing and managing charter schools, the primers address only those areas most critical to implementing special education successfully in charter schools. They are not intended to be a complete treatment of special education law or practices. In fact, due to the legal foundation upon which special education is built, charter schools and states are strongly urged to consult an attorney and experienced special education professionals for specific legal questions about special education.