This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Charter Schools in Pennsylvania.
Charter Schools
Charter schools were created to provide opportunities for teachers, parents, students and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the existing school district structure as a method to accomplish the following:
- improve student learning;
- increase learning opportunities for all students;
- encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
- create new professional opportunities for teachers;
- provide parents and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system; and
- be accountable for meeting measurable academic standards.
Charter schools are exempt from many educational mandates.
Schools that operate under a charter are divided into three general categories—charter schools, regional charter schools, and cyber charter schools. Both charter schools and regional charter schools (collectively referred to as "charter schools") are independent public schools established and operated under a charter from the local school board and in which students are enrolled or attend.
A cyber charter school is an independent public school established and operated under a charter from PDE and in which the school uses technology in order to provide a significant portion of curriculum and to deliver a significant portion of instruction to its students through the internet or other electronic means without a school-established requirement that students be present at a supervised physical facility except on a very limited basis, such as for standardized test. Continue Reading Full Resource. . .
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Chapter 711 Charter School Services and Programs for Children with Disabilities
Link to Chapter 711 of the Pennsylvania Code (Regulations). The purpose of this chapter is to specify how the Commonwealth will meet its obligation to both suspected and identified exceptional students and to provide appropriate, quality education services to students in charter schools and cyber charter schools. That obligation entails an evaluation and screening process, including a multidisciplinary evaluation, which is mandated by both state and Federal law.
Charter Schools
This Basic Education Circular (BEC) provides a general overview of Pennsylvania's Charter School Law (CSL), 24 P.S. §§ 17-1701-A – 17-1751-A, and serves as a guide for school districts, charter schools, parents, students, and other interested individuals on the authorization and establishment, operation, oversight, and closure of a charter school. While this BEC includes information applicable to all charter schools, it is geared specifically to brick-and-mortar charter schools authorized by local boards of school directors.
Chapter 711 Charter School Services and Programs for Children with Disabilities
Link to Chapter 711 of the Pennsylvania Code (Regulations). The purpose of this chapter is to specify how the Commonwealth will meet its obligation to both suspected and identified exceptional students and to provide appropriate, quality education services to students in charter schools and cyber charter schools. That obligation entails an evaluation and screening process, including a multidisciplinary evaluation, which is mandated by both state and Federal law.
Charter Schools
This Basic Education Circular (BEC) provides a general overview of Pennsylvania's Charter School Law (CSL), 24 P.S. §§ 17-1701-A – 17-1751-A, and serves as a guide for school districts, charter schools, parents, students, and other interested individuals on the authorization and establishment, operation, oversight, and closure of a charter school. While this BEC includes information applicable to all charter schools, it is geared specifically to brick-and-mortar charter schools authorized by local boards of school directors.
Charter Schools
Information on Charter Schools in Pennsylvania from the Charter Schools staff at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.