--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
spacer Return to Web VersionspacerReturn to Web Version

Massachusetts State Profile
Last updated: 01-08-2008  (Send USCS staff a comment about this page.)

List of Charter Schools
For a list of schools, use the following link(s):
Massachusetts Department of Education
Massachusetts Charter School Association

Overview
Year Law Passed # of Charter Schools # of Students Enrolled
1993 59 23,500

Statewide Support Organizations
Massachusetts Center for Charter Public School Excellence
 Massachusetts Charter School Association (MCSA)
 Massachusetts Department of Education
News
More Charter Schools Recommended for Massachusetts 2/16/08
Massachusetts Legislators Seek More Scrutiny of Charter Schools 9/30/07
New Business Group Pushing to Lift Charter Cap and Increase Charter Funding in Massachusetts 9/30/07
Districts in Massachusetts Seeks Authority to Audit Charter Schools 8/30/07
Massachusetts' Highest Court Rules Districts Cannot Challenge Approval of Charter School 3/26/07

view all Massachusetts news »



Resources
Autonomy and Innovation: How Do Massachusetts Charter School Principals Use Their Freedom
Charter School Fact Papers
Massachusetts Charter School Achievement Comparison Study: An Analysis of 2001-2005 MCAS Performance.
Massachusetts Full Charter School Task Force Report
Opening Procedures: A Guide for Board of Trustees and Leaders of New Charter Schools



Legislative Summary
Law:   Massachusetts General Law: Charter Schools
Massachusetts Regulations on Charter Schools

Amendment(s):   Amendments to Charter School Regulations voted by the Board of Education on June 24, 2003.

Authorizers:   For Commonwealth charter schools, the state board of education. For Horace Mann charter schools, local school board, local teachers union and state board of education.

Length of charter:   5 years

Caps on number of schools:   Yes. 120 total. 48 for Horace Mann charter schools, 72 for Commonwealth charter schools. Commonwealth charter schools may not serve more than 4 percent of statewide public school population.

Funding:   Commonwealth charters receive funding from each student's sending district. Horace Mann charters receive an agreed-upon budget allocation from their school board.
Charter School Finance