Like other public schools, charter schools must be open to every child regardless of race, religion, disability or academic ability. Approximately 500,000 students are enrolled in some 2,000 charter schools nationwide. Thirty-six states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have all passed charter school legislation. Indiana is the 37th state to pass charter schools legislation. A public school is defined as a school that is open to the public, funded by the public and accountable to the public.
Charter schools meet all three tests.
Charter schools differ from traditional public schools in that they are created by teachers, principals, education experts or parents, and they are exempt from most state and school district regulations, making them essentially autonomous in their operation. Finally, charter schools could be closed for producing unsatisfactory results. Comparing charter schools to vouchers is comparing apples to oranges. For example, charter schools must document student achievement and are accountable to the public for their success. If they fail, they could lose their charter.