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Minnesota Charter School Resource Center (MCSRC) Handbook http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centerslschool-changelhandbook/intro.htm - ,A-, . I ~.. ' , I MCSRC home Dage I What is a Charter School? I Charter School Handbook I Internet Resources I Contact MCSRC Staff CHARTER SCHOOL HANDBOOK Introduction [Table of Contents) 1. It is vital to give people an opportunity to carry out their dreams and best ideas; 2. This is a country of responsibilities, as well as rights; and 3. We believe in freedom within some limits, not unlimited freedom. What brings together people like Rosa Parks, Bill Clinton, the late Senator Paul Wellstone and both the former and current US presidents, George Bush? Right -- support for the charter school idea. This document is designed to help you create strong charter schools in Minnesota. Is starting a charter schoo) a lot of work? Yes. Is it worth doing? Yes. Many people who have started charter schools say that it is one of the most challenging, and rewarding, things they have ever done. The charter idea comes from three central American principles: What are charter schools? Charter schools are K-12 public schools that provide choice for parents, students and educators. Each Minnesota charter school is its own district or local education agency. E charter school is: . a public school, . free and open to all students, . funded on a per-pupil basis by the state of Minnesota, . responsible for improving student achievement, . responsible for following Minnesota's school financial management rules and regulations, . independently managed by a school board elected by parents, teachers and staff of the school, a . operated under a charter, or contract, with a sponsor, such as a local school board, higher educa institution, social service agency or foundation. If you're thinking of starting a charter school, we recommend you read the law, visit some Minnesota charter schools and talk to lots of people to make sure you understand what it means to operate a chaI school in Minnesota. In addition, the Minnesota Charter School Resource Center at the Center for Scl Change hosts free monthly meetings for people hoping to start charter schools. We are also willing to meet with individuals or groups working on a particular school. This document covers a variety of issues relating to starting and operating a charter school. If you try read through it all at once, you may be overwhelmed. Yes, there is a lot to do. And you can NOT do i yourself. However, more than 100 groups have successfully gone through this process and opened ch: lof3 9/29/04 6:09 PM