[complete report]

LAW

Year Passed

1998; last amended in 2008.

Rank

14th strongest of the nation's 40 charter laws.

Grade

C

GENERAL DATA

• Independent authorizer is only semi-autonomous, operating through the state education agency

• Funding varies based on the authorizer

• Local districts still retain control over charter schools

MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS - YES (2)

Approval

School boards, and the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, a quasi-independent board created in 2008. However the state board may approve the state chartered special schools (in the event that a school district rejects the initial charter application).

Appeal

Yes. The State Board of Education may grant appeals and become the sponsor for schools rejected by the Georgia Charter Schools Commission. The State Board of Education may approve a charter application to be a state chartered special school after being denied by the school board.

NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED

Cap

No cap

OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY

State

Yes. Blanket waiver from all state and local rules and regulations. Virtual schools are allowed. Management contracts with ESPs are not restricted.

Local

Yes. Charter schools may be exempt from some district rules. However, districts subject charters to extensive control and oversight including over funding.

Teacher Freedom

Yes. Teachers are employees of the charter for new schools. The charter petition defines this for conversion schools. All charters are required to participate in and pay to be covered by the state retirement system.

EQUITY

Student Funding

• School districts dictate funding for locally approved charter schools, often resulting in inequities.

• State chartered special schools receive only state and federal funds unless approved by local referendum.

• For district charters, funds pass through the district. For all other schools, funds pass through the state.

• Average per pupil revenue - $7,216

"Quality basic education formula applies; grants, local tax revenue, and funds from local bonds. (a) A local charter school shall be included in the allotment of QBE formula earnings, applicable QBE grants, applicable non-QBE state grants, and applicable federal grants to the local school system in which the local charter school is located under Article 6 of this chapter. The local board and the state board shall treat a conversion charter school no less favorably than other local schools located within the applicable local school system unless otherwise provided by law. The local board and the state board shall treat a start-up charter school no less favorably than other local schools within the applicable local system with respect to the provision of funds for instruction, school administration, transportation, food services, and, where feasible, building programs." [O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068.1]

Facilities Funding

None.