Charter Schools

The Alliance for School Choice recently released their annual School Choice Yearbook, a comprehensive guide to school choice programs throughout the United States.

2011 was a significant year for the expansion of school choice across the country. Seven new programs were created and 11 existing ones were expanded.

North Carolina parents have much to celebrate in the area of expanded educational options for their children. In 2011, North Carolina eliminated the public charter school cap, along with creating a tax credit for children with disabilities - the state's first K-12 law where private education is an option. These education reform successes will positively impact thousands of children across our state.

If you haven't seen it already, take a look at the video below, which highlights PEFNC's visit to Scotland Neck in October to explain the benefits of community-supported public charter schools to residents and alumni of a defunct high school. 

The state Department of Public Instruction announced today that the deadline for regular applications to start a public charter school has been extended from February to April.

No exact date has been given as of yet.

Applications for the fast tracking process - those who can demonstrate the ability to open a public charter school by August 2012 - are still due by Thursday, November 10, 2011 at noon.

Public charter schools are independent public schools of choice, free from some of the rules and regulations of traditional public schools, but still accountable for student performance. This accountability comes with the ability to have increased school autonomy.