Charter schools are public schools that operate under a performance contract, or a “charter” which frees them from many regulations created for traditional public schools while holding them accountable for academic and financial results. Charter schools are held accountable to the school district (Sponsor) for educational, organizational and financial performance. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability.

Charter schools operate under a “charter” or performance contract detailing the schools’ mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment and ways to measure academic success. The standard term for a charter is five years. High performing charter schools are permitted a 15-year charter per statute. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter (The School Board of Broward County, Florida) may renew the school’s contract.

Charter schools are created when an application is submitted to the school district in which it desires to operate by an individual, a group of parents or teachers, a municipality, or a legal entity. The Sponsor reviews and approves or denies the application based on the criteria established by the Florida Department of Education. If approved, the applicant and the Sponsor negotiate a charter and then the applicants and district school board agree upon a charter or contract. The negotiated contract outlines expectations of both parties regarding the school's educational, organizational and financial performance. It is the governing board’s responsibility to oversee the day to day operations of the school.

A high-performing charter school must meet the following criteria per Section 1002.33, Florida Statutes:

• In operation for a minimum of three (3) years;
• Received a school grade of at least “A” or “B” pursuant to s. 1008.34 in 3 of the past 4 years; and
• Is not in a state of financial emergency or deficit position as defined by this section.

Charter schools are exempt from many of the state rules and regulations that are mandated for traditional public schools. They have the autonomy to make their own decisions such as what state-approved, evidence-based curriculum they wish to implement, what approved teacher and administrator evaluation plans to use or if the students wear uniforms. They also have the financial freedom and flexibility to implement and pay for the decisions made by the charter school founders and governing board.

Charter schools are exempt from the Florida K-20 Education Code (Ch.1000-1013, Florida Statutes), except those statutes specifically applying to charter schools.; pertaining to the student assessment program and school grading system; pertaining to the provision of services to students with disabilities; pertaining to civil rights, pertaining to student health, safety and welfare; and relating to maximum class size, except the calculation for compliance shall be the average at the school level instead of the stricter period by period standard applied to traditional public schools. All charter schools are required to follow state statutes pertaining to the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS/RtI) and intensive interventions for struggling students.

Charter schools must also comply with any statute governing public records; public meetings and records; public inspection; and penalties (Ch. 119, Florida Statutes). In addition, charter schools must comply with Florida Building Code (Ch. 553, Florida Statutes) and Florida Fire Prevention Code (Section 633.025A, Florida Statutes), but are exempt from compliance with the State Requirements for Educational Facilities.

Charter schools are open to all students in the state of Florida pending seat availability. Each charter school has its own enrollment process that is approved by its governing board. To find out about a specific school’s process, you must contact the school directly. The charter school shall enroll an eligible student who submits a timely enrollment application unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level or building. In such case, all applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process or lottery. 

Many charter schools require parent involvement in the form of volunteer hours or assisting at the school in some capacity. It is not legal however for parents to “pay down” their volunteer hours nor should a student’s enrollment be contingent based on the parent’s completion of parental involvement requirements. As states by legal counsel for the Florida Department of Education, "Florida law does not provide an opportunity for a charter school to allow volunteer hours identified in a parent volunteer contract to be "purchased" as a monetary donation to the school."

Charter schools must hire teachers who are certified or eligible for certification by the Florida Department of Education. School administrators, however, are not required to hold certification from the Florida Department of Education.

All charter schools are required to provide ESE services. However, most charter schools, by the charter contract, provide ESE services for those students in a mainstream setting with only 20% or less in an ESE setting. If your child is not receiving the services as outlined in his or her IEP, speak to the ESE Specialist or the Principal of the school. If the school is unable to meet your child’s needs, some options include returning to the student’s home school in the district, using a McKay Scholarship to attend another district or private school that may serve students requiring more time in an ESE setting.

No, charter schools must accept all students. They must follow all state-approved rules and the District’s K-12 ESOL plan to ensure that the students are receiving an equitable education. 

Charter schools are not required to provide transportation however, transportation cannot be a barrier for enrollment or attendance. Transportation is the responsibility of the school and must be provided according to the district, state and federal rules and regulations. The school agrees to provide transportation for the school’s students in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 1006, Florida Statutes.

Yes. A student may transfer from a charter school to a district operated school and vice versa at any time of the school year.

When a charter school closes, a student may choose to return to the district home school, based on capacity, attend another charter school or select a private school. Students attending a charter school at the time of closure will have an opportunity to apply for assignment at a traditional or magnet school based on seats available at the time of closure.

Some questions that a parent may want to consider when choosing a school are:

• How long has the school been open?
• What is the school’s grade? If the school is too small to receive a grade, how many points did the school earn?
• Are the teachers certified in Florida and Highly Qualified?
• Are the teachers ESOL endorsed?
• Is the school able to provide my child the ESE services as prescribed in the IEP?
• What electives/specials does the school offer?
• Does the school offer transportation?
• What are the requirements in a parent volunteer contract?
• Are there any fees that are required? If so, for what?
• For secondary schools, is the school accredited? What is the graduation rate or School Improvement Rating (SIR).

To learn about your child’s school placement opportunities, contact the District’s Office of School Choice Department at (754) 321-2480.

In general, the parents should direct complaints, concerns and requests in the following order:

• To the teacher or other staff member most directly involved with the issue.
• To the principal/director of the charter school.
• To the school/parent liaison.
• To the management representative or the governing board that holds the charter for the school. The board has full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the charter school.

If efforts to resolve the issue with the school representatives fail, parents should then contact the District’s Choice/Charter Schools Management Support Department for further information. It is necessary to note that the Sponsor has no jurisdiction over the day-to-day operations of a charter school nor is the Sponsor responsible for the employment of administrators, faculty and/or staff.