This information is taken from the Colorado Charter School Handbook. You can access the complete handbook by clicking the link below.

• Complete Colorado Charter School Handbook

What Is a Charter School?

A charter school in Colorado is a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers and/or community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district, operating under a contract or "charter" contract between the members of the charter school community and the local board of education.

In a charter school, each student, parent and teacher chooses to be there. The "charter," as defined in the Charter Schools Act (Sections 22-30.5-101et. seq. C.R.S.), spells out the school goals, standards, education design, governance and operations. The degree of autonomy to be exercised by the charter school on such issues as personnel, curriculum and facilities is negotiated between the charter applicants and the local school district and reflected in the charter. School-centered governance, autonomy, and a clear design for how and what students will learn are the essential characteristics of a charter school.

Under Colorado law, a charter school is not a separate legal entity independent of the school district, but rather is a public school defined uniquely by a charter and partially autonomous while remaining within the school district. The approved charter application and accompanying agreements are the charter which serve as a contract between the charter school and the local board of education.

The Purposes for Having Charter Schools in Colorado

In authorizing charter schools, the General Assembly created an avenue for parents, teachers, and community members "to take responsible risks and create new, innovative, more flexible ways of educating all children within the public school system."

"Different pupils learn differently," notes the act. The act seeks the creation of schools with "high, rigorous standards for pupil performance, " with special emphasis on expanded opportunities for low-achieving students. The General Assembly sought "to create an atmosphere in Colorado's public schools where research and development in developing different learning opportunities is actively pursued."

Charter schools are a means of expanding choices in Colorado public schools. The charter process provides an avenue for educators, citizens, businesses, communities and parents to direct their innovative efforts. Charter schools offer teachers a chance to be part of designing and working in semi-autonomous, creative schools under defined philosophical approaches.

The Charter Schools Act -- Where are we?

A number of the stated purposes of the Colorado Charter Schools Act have already come to fruition. Specifically, charter schools in Colorado have increased the number of public school choices available for parents, students, and teachers. Fifty charter schools were operating in Colorado on September 1, 1997. Today, there are 141 charter schools operating (2007-2008 school year).

Many districts are now viewing charter schools, and in a broader sense, all schools of choice as a key tool to implementing Colorado's Standards Based Education initiative.

In one big sweep, a charter school can create a delivery system that individualizes and customizes education to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse society. As academic standards become more rigorous and the expectation that more students must meet those standards increases; time, resources, and instructional strategies must be utilized differently to enable more children to meet the higher standards.

Therefore, charter schools become another tool, an opportunity for districts in Colorado to use in meeting the academic content standards which have now been set in mathematics, reading, writing, science, geography, and history. Charter schools are being viewed as one of a district's educational options from which students and parents may choose. Charter schools are beginning to deliver an educational program that will assist school districts in meeting the academic content standards which have been set for a very diverse student population. Most charter schools are becoming a real asset to public education.

Implementation of the Colorado Charter Schools Act will be an evolving process. Many questions will arise that are not specifically addressed by the law. Charter applicants, district staff, local boards of education, legislators, the State Board of Education, Colorado Department of Education staff, and others will need to work in partnership to find creative solutions to the questions and issues which will surface from time to time in fine tuning Colorado's Charter Schools Act.

Writing a Charter Application?

Contact the Schools of Choice Unit at the Colorado Department of Education.

Phone 303-866-6971

Applying for a Charter

Any group of parents, teachers and/or community members may develop a charter application. A minimum size is not defined in the charter school law. The school must be nonsectarian and non-home-based. Applications may not be submitted to convert an existing private school or non-public home-based educational program into a charter school.

A charter application is submitted to the local school board by October 1 to be eligible for consideration for the following school year. The charter applicant and local school board may jointly waive any timelines set forth in the Colorado Charter Schools Act. The school district may establish local procedures for submitting and considering applications, but may not charge an application fee. An approved charter application must serve as the basis for a contract between the charter school and the school board.

Before the school board formally approves or denies the application, it must first be reviewed by the district accountability advisory committee pursuant to the district's guidelines. The school board must also hold a series of community meetings, and then, within 60 days after receiving the formal application, make a decision about granting a charter. It is the charter applicants responsibility to obtain a copy of the district's application procedures from the administrative office of the school district.

The application process should consist of a series of meetings, dialogues and negotiations between the applicants and appropriate district staff and school board members. The open sharing of information and ideas between all parties is essential to the process and the development of a successful charter school. Early, informal discussions between the applicant and the school district are highly encouraged before the official application is submitted to the local board. This may help in the development of a quality and successful application. In the best case scenario, most issues can be informally resolved before the official application is submitted to the district and the short 60 day statutory review process and timeline begin. All new charter schools must be approved for at least three years, but not more that five years.

The governing body of an existing charter school must submit its renewal application to the local board of education no later than December 1 prior to the year in which the charter expires.

Whether the charter is denied or approved, an appeal process to the State Board of Education is provided pursuant to Section 22-30.5-108 C.R.S. The State Board may also, upon its own motion, decide to review any charter decision of a local board of education. Under the act, the State Board has the authority to direct the local board to grant, deny, or revoke the charter. The timelines for the consideration and appeal processes are built into the act.

For information on:

• Applying for a Charter
• Required Elements of a Charter Application
• Other Considerations and Programs for Applicants
• Summary of Colorado Regulations
• Organizations and Resource Persons
• Resources and Research Information

-- please click here: Complete Colorado Charter School Handbook

For additional information please contact the Schools of Choice Unit at 303.866.6971.