They have completed several studies of charter schools, including an Arizona charter schools progress report completed for the state. Charter schools can operate under a fifteen-year performance contract to be reviewed every five years. If sponsored by a local district, a charter school receives per pupil funding equal to at least the average cost per pupil for the district as a whole. If a charter is state approved, the charter school is funded directly by the state based on the state funding formula for all schools. State standards in core subjects apply to all charter schools, and charter school students must participate in the state's student assessment program.
Charter schools are automatically exempt from most other state education laws and regulations.