Frequently Asked Questions About Charters
What is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school that is operated independently from the local school district. Rather than being governed by LAUSD bureaucracy, it is governed by a charter that can be written in collaboration with parents, educators, community leaders, and experienced charter school operators.
Are they free to attend?
Yes. As a public school, charters are completely free for students and parents. They are legally prohibited from charging any tuition.
Who gets to attend a charter school?
As a public school, charters are free and open to the entire surrounding community. They take students on a first come first serve basis, and by law must resort to a lottery system if there are more applications than available spots.
What makes charter schools different from other public schools?
Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are not bound by the many rules and regulations of district bureaucracy. Without the burden of this bureaucracy, they can spend much more money in the classroom and implement innovate programs for their students.
How are charter schools held accountable?
Unlike a traditional public school, parents choose to put their children into charter schools. If a charter school is not meeting a parent’s expectations, the parent can simply switch their child back to the traditional public school, or a different neighborhood charter school. If enough parents are unhappy with the charter, the state will shut it down. Parents have choice, and the school is held accountable- unlike traditional public schools.
Does the Parent Revolution want to turn every school into a charter school?
No. Our goal is to transform public education in Los Angeles so every child has a great public school. To achieve that goal will require more than just charter schools- it will take fundamental reform of LAUSD and our school system. We will use charter schools as a model to show the district what a great school looks like, and prove that every child is capable of learning. We will also make sure that charters are always available as an option when the district fails in its obligation to provide a great school for your child. If you demand a better school, and the district does not deliver, the Parent Revolution will make sure you have a high-performing charter school in your neighborhood within three years.
