States determine further specificity of the law.
Depending on the state law, parents, a group of teachers, or businesses may create charter schools and design the curriculum. A school financing plan that would allow a single dollar amount, representing both operations and capital funding costs, to follow each student to the school of his or her choice. In Missouri, for example, Kansas City and St. Louis must observe strict racial guidelines for the placement of students in city schools. Parents are limited to choices that will not upset the racial balance of a particular school. Some states, such as Alabama, allow inter-district choice among only a limited number of districts.