Fact Sheet on California Charter Schools

 

California Legislation

California was the second state to enact charter legislation in 1992.  The charter school law was authored by then Senator Gary K. Hart.

 

Number of schools in operation, students served

A total of 436 public charter schools are now operating in California, serving more than 166,000 students, according to data collected by the California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC).  These figures represent a dramatic increase in charter school activity over last year, when there were 358 California charter schools in operation, with enrollments of roughly 135,000 students. 191 charter schools currently operate in urban or inner-city areas.

 

School Type: Start-up vs. Conversion

70 percent (307 of a total 436) of charter schools currently in operation are start-up schools. (A “start-up” charter school is a school created and organized from scratch by educators, parents and community leaders.)

 

The other 30 percent (130 of a total 436) are conversion schools. (A “conversion” charter school is a public school that has been converted to charter by existing school faculty or by the local school district.)  Of these, a total of 15 conversion schools are operating within eight all-charter school districts.

 

Closures and Revocations

Of the 473 charter schools that have opened since the inception of charter school law in 1992, a total of 37 schools (under eight percent) have closed permanently.  While 18 of these 37 schools closed because of a charter revocation, the other 19 schools closed for reasons that may include difficulties in obtaining a facility or attracting students.

 

New Charter Schools Opened in California, By Year*

Year

Charter Schools Opened

Total Number

1993

25

25

1994

34

59

1995

28

87

1996

21

108

1997

16

124

1998

34

158

1999

81

239

2000

76

315

2001

43

358

2002

78

436

*These figures do not reflect closures, revocations, withdrawals, or unassigned charter numbers.

 

About CANEC

The California Network of Educational Charters (CANEC) is California’s premier charter school networking and service organization and is the public voice of its members for the charter school movement in California. CANEC represents its members through networking, advocacy and public awareness.

 

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