Charter Schools
LWVMD Takes Action to encourage the inclusion of the following criteria in any legislation or regulations governing the establishment of Public Charter Schools. No consensus was reached on whether we oppose or support Public Charter Schools. (2001)
-Public Charter Schools must be nonsectarian, nonreligious, nonprofit, and not home-based;
-Applications may be submitted by a variety of groups or organizations, including, but not limited to, parents, teachers and institutions of higher learning;
-Local boards of education determine which groups or organizations will be granted contracts (i.e.,"charters"), with the right to an appeal of that decision to the state board of education;
-Waivers (to be specified in the contract) may include some public school regulations governing curriculum, calendar, and teaching methodology. No waivers may be granted from regulations governing fiscal accountability, nor (as specified by federal regulations) from civil rights or health and safety standards;
-Quarterly financial reports should be made to the local school board;
-Academic standards, including testing, required of other public school students must be met;
-Admission must be non-discriminatory and open on a first-come, first-served basis to all students who wish to apply;
-Public Charter Schools must be funded at the same per pupil level as students in other public schools.