| State Profile Title | Colorado Charter School Information |
| List of State's Charter Schools | http://www.cde.state.co.us/scripts/chartersearch.asp |
| Header | 03-20-00 |
| Brief Overview | Colorado first passed its charter school law in 1993. Recent amendments to the law were passed in 2002. There are currently 93 charter schools in operation serving 25,512 students. |
| Discussion Groups | Colorado Discussion Group |
| Schools | Colorado Department of Education
Colorado League of Charter Schools
For a list of Charter Schools in this state, contact the State Department of Education. Contact information appears below.
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| Participants | Colorado Participants |
| Community | Colorado Department of Education
Colorado League of Charter Schools
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| Key Contacts | |
| Legislative Summary | Passed originally in 1993 and recently amended in 2002, Colorado's charter school law empowers local district boards to grant charters. It does not limit the number of charter schools in the state but does allow local boards to "reasonably limit" the number in each district. Charter terms are up to five years. Funding is specified to be 95% of the district per pupil revenues and varies widely from district to district. Charter schools must meet or exceed district content standards and specify how they will evaluate student performance. Using the state testing instrument is not mandated.
Addtional legislative changes were made in during the 2002 legislative season. Some notable changes include:
(1) The allowance for local boads of education to determine the date by which charter school applications must be admitted;
(2) Increased base funding; and
(3) The ability for charter schools to provide on-line programs.
Links to Colorado Charter School legislation:
Colorado Charter Schools Act
2002 Charter School Legislative SummaryPassed originally in 1993 and recently amended in 2002, Colorado's charter school law empowers local district boards to grant charters. It does not limit the number of charter schools in the state but does allow local boards to "reasonably limit" the number in each district. Charter terms are up to five years. Funding is specified to be 95% of the district per pupil revenues and varies widely from district to district. Charter schools must meet or exceed district content standards and specify how they will evaluate student performance. Using the state testing instrument is not mandated.
Addtional legislative changes were made in during the 2002 legislative season. Some notable changes include:
(1) The allowance for local boads of education to determine the date by which charter school applications must be admitted;
(2) Increased base funding; and
(3) The ability for charter schools to provide on-line programs.
Links to Colorado Charter School legislation:
Colorado Charter Schools Act
2002 Charter School Legislative Summary |
