Charter schools are publicly funded elementary or secondary schools that are “exempt from significant state or local rules that inhibit the flexible operation and management of public schools,” according to the U.S. Department of Education. Currently, there are more than 4,800 charter schools open across the country, each authorized to operate with a written performance contract that sets clear educational objectives for its students.
High-performing charter schools—and the charter networks that support their growth nationally—play an important role in our college-ready strategy, piloting, accelerating, and expanding innovation in education.
Already, high-performing charter schools and networks have created optimism among educators by demonstrating that all students, from wide-ranging backgrounds, can achieve at high levels with the right support. And given the flexibility charter schools have relative to other public schools, they can pilot and implement projects with speed and fidelity.
Consequently, the most important measure of success for our work with charter schools will be the number of students—especially low-income and minority students—served by high-performing charters and the degree to which successful charter schools influence the broader public educational system.
Goal #1: Increase the number of students served by high-performing charters by:
- Growing the capacity of charter networks aligned to our core strategy elements;
- Exploring Program Related Investments (PRIs) and other creative financing opportunities with high-performing charter networks; and
- Advocating for growth and results at the state and national levels.
Goal #2: Enhance the degree to which successful charter schools influence the broader system by:
- Building relationships between school districts and charter networks, especially those operating schools in-district;
- Piloting and expanding the core strategy elements in charters in coordination with district partners; and
- Incubating innovative new school models and approaches, with charters as early adopters.