An important part of what makes charter public schools unique is that they are directly accountable to the families they serve. At the heart of that accountability is a promise to improve academic outcomes for students—or face possible closure.

Here’s what that accountability system looks like in practice:

• Charter schools are held to the same federal and state public education laws as traditional district schools.
• Charter schools undergo extensive oversight by a local charter authorizer, often the local school board.
• Charter schools must be renewed every five years. If they are not raising student achievement, they can be closed down.

Along with state and federal laws, CCSA has worked with charter school leaders to develop our own accountability framework that sets Minimum Academic Accountability Criteria to measure performance. This framework is used to:

• Identify struggling schools in need of targeted interventions.
• Guide our advocacy efforts, in support of and in opposition to, renewing and replicating charter schools.
• Provide all charter schools with tools to examine their individual performance.
• Help present a clear picture of the performance of the entire movement.

It’s this robust and defined system of accountability that has been a critical ingredient in producing better outcomes and brighter futures. Share this graphic today and let family and friends know that charter public schools are accountable to the families they serve!