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Charter Schools

Charter schools are tuition-free, tax-funded public schools that have been given more flexibility and autonomy than district-operated schools. In California, most are run by nonprofit boards of directors. As of the fall of 2016, California’s 1,254 charter schools enrolled 602,837 students — for the first time serving 1 in 10 of California’s public school students.
October 16, 2018

Bay Area district faces challenges in attempt to shut down a charter school

District leaders hope state committee reviewing charter school laws will look at grounds for revoking charters and financial impact on districts.

Theresa Harrington
September 17, 2018

Spending on California schools chief race expected to set records again

With few competitive races on California’s 2018 ballot, the focus of some top donors is shifting to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction race

Nico Savidge
September 17, 2018

Essential Guide to Getting Down to Facts II

Here are the take-aways from the studies on special education, funding needs, a teacher shortage, a data deficit, student mental health local control's unmet potential – and more.

John Fensterwald, Daniel J. Willis, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen
September 3, 2018

Gov. Brown again to decide whether to ban for-profit charter schools

The California Charter Schools Association says it's in favor of AB 406, but ambiguity of the language, potentially affecting non-profit charter schools' operations, could give the governor pause.

John Fensterwald
August 27, 2018

Superintendent candidates agree on need to review California’s charter school law

Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck said they support transparency and accountability for charters.

Nico Savidge
August 20, 2018

Fewer Californians than residents nationwide favor raising teacher pay

Strikes in low-paying states opened the public's eyes. In California, where teachers are among nation's highest paid – cost of living aside – Education Next's 2018 poll found more support for raising overall funding than teacher pay.

John Fensterwald
August 19, 2018

San Jose district draws the line — to no avail — on adding another charter school

East Side Union in San Jose says state law should let districts consider a charter district's financial impact when deciding a charter application.

John Fensterwald
August 16, 2018

One California charter school's struggle for approval and a building close to its parents

Promise Academy disagreements with San Jose Unified mirror tensions escalating statewide over charter schools.

John Fensterwald
August 13, 2018

Gary Hart, author of California’s charter school law, reflects on its impact

Although former Sen. Gary Hart never imagined there would be 1,200 charter schools, overall he’s pleased. He would set up a different appeals process for charters whose applications have been rejected.

John Fensterwald
August 5, 2018

After quarter century of rapid expansion, charter school growth slowing in California

The slowdown could increase competition among parents and students to get into the most sought-after charter schools.

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald
August 1, 2018

Many charter schools fail to disclose spending on low-income students, report says

Out of 70 LCAPs selected, Public Advocates couldn’t find 27 online and most of the 43 reviewed lacked key spending data and evidence of parent involvement.

John Fensterwald
July 24, 2018

Preparing teachers to personalize their classrooms

Summit charter schools' teacher residency program is the first to focus on personalized learning.

Joanne Jacobs
July 23, 2018

Charter school network spreads 'personalized learning' model nationwide

With help from Facebook, an online learning platform helps personalize instruction and allows students to progress at their own pace.

Joanne Jacobs
July 23, 2018

L.A. school board member resigns after pleading guilty to campaign money laundering

Ref Rodriguez's resignation ends the charter-backed majority on the Los Angeles Unified school board. Replacement plans are uncertain.

Larry Gordon
July 17, 2018

Oakland charter school approved amid concerns over fiscal impact on district

California Department of Education official calls state's charter school laws outdated and says they are in need of revision.

Theresa Harrington