Upon passage of the
New York Charter Schools Act of 1998, New York became the 36th
state to approve public charter schools. In the 2003-04 school year,
approximately 15,000 students were educated in charter schools, with
10,000 more students on waiting lists for entry into a public charter
school.
There are three ways
for a charter school to be approved in New York. Both the State
University Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents can approve up to
50 charter schools. Additionally, local boards of education, and in the
case of New York City the Chancellor of Education, can approve
applications for schools within their boundaries.
This article from
The Empire Foundation for Policy Research outlines the story behind the
passage of the New York Charter Schools Act of 1998 during a special
session of the New York State Legislature. Thomas W. Carroll,
“How a
Bill Became a Law: the Story Behind the New York State Charter School
Law,” Lessons Newsletter, The Empire Foundation for Policy Research,
April 1999.
Articles
Tom Carroll, "Happy Birthday, Charter Schools,"
City Journal, July 18, 2008
Brienne Bellavita, "Stop trying to block access to charter schools,"
Buffalo News, July 18, 2008
B. Jason Brooks & Peter Murphy, "Schools Are Accountable for Pupil Performance,"
Buffalo News, October 29, 2007
David Andreatta, "Charters
Charting Course to Success," New York Post, October 12, 2006
New York Charter Schools
This chart, created
by the New York Charter Schools Association and Charter School Resource
Center, tracks approved New York’s charter schools by authorizer and year,
click here to view.
As of fall 2005, a total of 79 charter
schools are operating across New York State from Buffalo to Long
Island, educating 23,000 children.
New York Charter
School Reports
"Educational Effectiveness of the Charter School Approach in New York
State" New York State Board of Regents, December 2003”
The Board of Regents
conducted this five year review of charter schools in New York in
accordance with §2857(4) of the Education Law. The report found large
increases in student academic performance in charter schools, and
minimal financial impacts to traditional schools districts where
charters are located.
Board of Regents
Annual Reports
Each year the Board
of Regents releases an annual report on New York charter schools.
The most recent
reports, as well as more information on charter schools, can be found by
visiting http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/psc/.
The most recent
report, an analysis of the 2002-03 school year released in 2004, is
available here.
Links for NY
Charter Schools
The Charter Schools
Act of 1998
Charter Schools
Institute:
www.newyorkcharters.org
New York Charter
School Resource Center:
www.nycharterschools.org
New York Charter
Schools Association:
www.nycsa.org
New York State
Education Department’s office of Elementary, Middle, Secondary and
Continuing Education:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/topics/charter.html
New York State
Education Department’s office of Public School Choice Programs:
www.wmsc.nysed.gov/psc/
New York City
Charter School Assistance Center:
http://www.newvisions.org/nyccharters/
New York City
Department of Education
http://www.nycenet.edu/
Other sites of
interest:
www.publiccharters.org
www.ed.gov/programs/charter/index.html
www.uscharterschools.org
