Are run by boards of parents and community members rather than elected officials. Are not bound by union contracts if they have fewer than 250 students. Cannot charge tuition. Cannot teach religion. Are prohibited by law from selecting students based on academic or other ability.
Charter schools are as yet unproven, but parents have various reasons for enrolling their kids.
They really seem like they are going to put education first,'' she said. Charter schools, allowed under a 1998 state law, are publicly funded but operate with some of the autonomy of private schools. They do not charge tuition. The city's charter schools will enroll about 1,400 students this year, and more are clamoring to get in. Students were selected at random from applicants.