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Learn the Lingo

Public Charter Schools - Independent public schools that are allowed the freedom to be more innovative, while being held accountable for improved student achievement.

Open Enrollment - Charter schools do not impose conditions for admissions.

Authorizer - Entities responsible for granting charters to operators and overseeing public charter schools in operation.  Depending upon each state's charter school law, authorizers may be statewide bodies, universities, school districts or not-for-profits. With a charter law, the state says it's fine for somebody other than the local school board to run a public school, sponsored if necessary by some public body other than the local school board.

Per-Pupil Funding - The amount of money provided by a state to public charter schools for each child enrolled.  Research suggests that on average, charters receive approximately 78 percent of the per-pupil dollars allocated to traditional public schools.  

Facility - The physical building where a public charter school is located. Public charter schools may be located in a variety of settings.  

Caps - A statutory limit on public charter school growth.  Most caps restrict the number of charter schools allowed, while others restrict the number of students that a single school can serve or where public charter schools may operate.

CMO - Charter Management Organization.  CMOs are nonprofit entities that manage two or more charter schools.  CMOs often provide back office functions, but some provide a wider range of services, including hiring, professional development, data analysis, public relations and advocacy. 

EMO - Education Management Organization.  EMOs are for-profit entities that manage charter schools.  EMOs perform similar functions as CMOs.  EMOs generally charge a management fee for their services to charter schools.

CSO - Charter Support Organization.  CSOs are independent nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving and advocating for quality charter schools as a powerful reform strategy for public education. CSOs now exist in some form in every state as well as many major cities that are active in the charter school movement. Some are membership organizations while others are freestanding resource centers. They have grown to serve a wide range of needs, from technical assistance to advocacy around key issues such as charter caps and funding. Some CSOs serve a statewide  community, while others focus on an urban center.

Charter Resource Center - Resource centers typically provide training sessions, research archives, guidelines on best practices and funding sources for public charter school operators, leaders and teachers.