Methodology

A numerical value is placed on the four major components (and nearly 30 subcomponents) of a charter law that have been determined to have the most impact on the development and creation of charter schools, including multiple authorizers, equitable funding, charter school caps, and autonomy. States may earn a maximum of 55 points based on their laws — and practice — and are given a letter grade based on the total score and rank.

Charter School Laws

Without changes in state charter school laws, parental demand for charter schools will continue to rise, but new schools will face almost insurmountable obstacles to opening. As CER has prescribed for years, charter school laws matter. States control these laws, and without strong charter school laws, progress can never be possible. What makes a good law? A look at some of the nation’s most welcoming environments for quality charter schools reveals commonalities: financial equity, freedom from oversight and the conventional system, and distinct, independent authorizers to open schools and hold them accountable. States that have these and other components receive high marks, and those that do not need to use Charter Laws Across the States as a blueprint for effecting bold change.