History

The formation and history of charter schools are derived ideas, from alternative schools, to site-based management, magnet schools, public school choice and privatization. The concept of “charter” schools originated in 1970s and is generally credited to New England educator Ray Budde. Budde suggested that groups of teachers be given contracts or “charters” by their local school boards to explore new approaches. Albert Shanker, past president of the American Federation for Teachers, also receives credit for helping move the charter school concept along in the late 1980s.

Then late 1980s the concept of charter became a realirty, schools-within-schools in Philadelphia, were called “charters”. When the experiment was successful, other places refined their approach and tried it themselves. In a similar endeavor in Minnesota, educators developed charter schools with three basic values: opportunity, choice and responsibility for results. Minnesota passed charter school law in 1991 and California passed it in 1992. Gradually, the number of states passing the charter school law increased from 19 in 1995 to 42 in 2004. Enjoying wide support, charter schools are now one of the fastest growing innovations in education policy.

For his proposed budget for 2006, President Bush asked for $219 million dollars in support in grants for 1,200 new and existing charter schools. He also asked for $50 million for a Choice Incentive Fund for an innovative voucher system that would allow parents to transfer their children to other public, private, or charter schools. Bush also asked for $37 million to help charter schools obtain the needed credit to renovate, lease, or buy school facilities. While charter schools receive state and local money to help with operations, they do not receive money for their facilities