Charter Schools
Public charter schools are public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The charter establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, and methods of assessment.
Charters are granted for a period of up to 5 years. At the end of the term, the State Board of Education may renew the school's contract. Public charter schools are accountable to the State Board of Education to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of public charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. This autonomy is gained by requesting exemption from Title 6 of the Arkansas Education Code and State Board of Education rules. The charter schools are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them and the public that funds them.
Applications
Letters of Intent:
- District Conversion Public Charter School Requirements for Letter of Intent
- Limited District Conversion Public Charter School Requirements for Letter of Intent
- Open-Enrollment Public Charter School Requirements for Letter of Intent
Applications:
- District Conversion and Limited District Conversion Public Charter School Application
- Open-Enrollment Public Charter School Application
- Public Charter School Dissemination Grant Application
- Charter School Planning and Implementation Grant Application
For more information, please contact:
Related Files
- ADE Rules Governing Public Charter Schools Posted 3/12/2013 pdf
- Commissioner's Memo: Number of Open-Enrollment Charters Available Posted 2/22/2013 file
- Public Charter Schools 2010 and 2011 State Assessment Growth Literacy and Math Posted 9/4/2012 pdf
- Arkansas Public Charter Schools: Closure Information Posted 8/22/2012 pdf
- Arkansas Public Charter Schools Act of 1999 Posted 10/12/2009 pdf