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LAW |
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Year Passed |
1996; last amended in 2008.
|
|
Rank |
Strongest of the nation's 40 charter laws. |
|
Grade |
A |
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GENERAL DATA |
|
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• Law provides maximum independence and flexibility to charters
• Funding approaches equity and ensures some facility funds
• Well-constituted independent authorizer holds charter schools accountable |
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MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS - YES (2) |
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Approval |
While only the DC Public Charter School Board currently authorizes (the DC Board of Education transferred all their authorized schools to the DCPCSB in 2006) the DC City Council may designate an additional entity by enactment of a bill. |
|
Appeal |
None. |
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NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED |
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Cap |
Yes. Up to 20 charter schools per year may be authorized. |
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OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY |
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State |
Yes. Blanket waiver from all public school rules and regulations. Virtual schools are not allowed. Management contracts with ESPs are not restricted. |
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Local |
Yes. Charters have almost full control over budgeting, operations and personnel. |
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Teacher Freedom |
Yes. Teachers may negotiate as a separate unit with charter school governing body or work independently. A public charter school may establish a retirement system for employees or educators may choose to stay within the parameters of the DC government retirement system. |
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EQUITY |
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Student Funding |
• Public charter schools are funded equitably through the same formula and from the same streams that funds the traditional public school system in the District.
• Funds pass through the district.
• Average per pupil revenue - $11,570
"The DC Council in 1998 passed the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula for Public School and Public Charter Schools Act, which is the foundation of the funding formulas. The Act provides a foundation amount that increases annually to account for inflation, plus additional amounts depending on grade levels, limited English proficiency, summer school, special education and residential schools." [D.C. Official Code § 38-2901 to 2912] |
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Facilities Funding |
Yes. Charter schools receive a facilities allowance of $2,800 per pupil. There is also a credit enhancement fund and a direct loan fund for construction, purchase, renovation or maintenance of facilities. [D.C. Official Code § 38-2908] |
