FAQ | Missouri Charter Public School Commission

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Accountability

Can a charter be renewed when its initial contract expires?

• A chartering authority may grant renewals of a charter school’s charter. (A charter school seeking renewal of its charter must submit documentation similar to that submitted for its initial charter approval.)

Can a Charter be Revised After it is Granted?

A charter school that seeks to establish an additional site or add a grade level must request a material revision. A material revision of the provisions of a charter may only be made with the approval of the authority that granted the charter.

Are Charter School Students Required to Participate in State Testing?

Charter school students are required to participate in all statewide assessments that are applicable to students in traditional public schools.

Why does accountability matter?

Charter school students are thriving academically, in part, because clear minimum performance standards have created an environment of flexibility in exchange for accountability. Over the years, high performing charter schools have flourished, and many underperforming schools have closed.

What is a charter public school?

Charter public school are free, open independently run public schools granted greater flexibility in operations than a traditional public school in exchange for greater accountability for performance.

Charter schools operate under a “charter,” which is a contract between the school and its sponsoring agency. The charter both authorizes the school’s existence and outlines the terms and conditions of its operations.

Starting Charter School

Why Are Charter Schools So Popular?

Do Charter Schools receive funding to cover the cost of securing a building?

No, there may however be funding to help with start-up cost.

Are all charter schools the same?

Charter schools in Missouri and across the United States differ. Charter schools vary in the grades they serve, the themes they offer and, in the culture, and climate of their school. Most charter schools serve students in communities with limited access to high performing public schools. Many charter schools are designed specifically for students in poverty and historically underserved students.

What is a charter management organization?

Charter management organizations (CMOs) provide non-profit charter schools with management services. These contracted services typically include curriculum development, assessment design, professional development, systems implementation, back-office services, teacher recruitment, and facility services. Governing boards of charter schools’ contract with CMO’s and hold them accountable.

Who can attend charter schools?

Charter schools are public schools and open to all students in the area they serve. Charter schools accept students by random, public lottery.

Where can charter schools be located?

Charter schools can open and operate in all school districts in Missouri. The Missouri Charter Public School Commission can sponsor charter schools in Kansas City Public Schools district, St. Louis Public Schools district, any unaccredited district and any district provisionally accredited for 3 or more years.

Who can start a charter school?

What is the difference between charter public schools and other public schools?

Charter schools are established by teachers, parents, principals, educational experts and entrepreneurs. The biggest difference is that no student is assigned to a charter school. Families choose to enroll their children in charter schools.

What is a charter school?

A charter school is a free, independent public school that operates outside of a school district. Charter schools are granted greater flexibility in return for greater accountability. Missouri charter schools are governed by independent boards and are non-profit organizations.

How are charter schools funded?

Charter schools are public schools. Like traditional district schools, charters are funded according to the State of Missouri's Foundation Formula, local property taxes, sales taxes and federal grants (based on enrollment, attendance, and student group membership.)

Renewal

New Sponsors

What is a Sponsoring Agency?

In Missouri, a charter school can be authorized by a school district, institution of higher education or the Missouri Charter School Commission.

Who sponsors charter schools?

There are three kinds of sponsors in Missouri: school boards of accredited districts, qualifying universities and the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Sponsored charter schools must be approved by the Missouri State Board of Education and must meet all applicable state statutes and Department of Elementary and Secondary Regulations.

What is a charter?

The “charter” is the contract between a nonprofit entity and an allowable sponsor, that explains what the school wants to do, how they will go about it, what they will accomplish, and how they will measure their performance. When a charter school fails to comply with the terms of its charter, the charter can be revoked or not renewed at the end of the contract (usually 5 years).

QUICK LINKS

List of Charter Schools sponsored by MCPSC

MCPSC Meeting Schedule

Charter School Performance

How do I start a charter school

MCPSC staff are happy to help!

Looking for....	MCPSC Staff Member	EMAIL
Help with Epicenter	Tonya Richardson, Program Coordinator	tonya.richardson@mcpsc.mo.gov
Payment on invoice	Gina Walbridge, Executive Assistant	gina.walbridge@mcpsc.mo.gov
Start A School	Shawn Williams, Deputy Director	shawn.williams@mcpsc.mo.gov
Renewal process	Martha McGeehon, Deputy Director	martha.mcgeehon@mcpsc.mo.gov
Join the Commission	Robbyn Wahby, Executive Director	robbyn.wahby@mcpsc.mo.gov
Closed School Info	Shawn Williams, Deputy Director	shawn.williams@mcpsc.mo.gov
Press Inquiries	Robbyn Wahby, Executive Director	robbyn.wahby@mcspc.mo.gov