Funds support planning activities for 35 new charter schools

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster recently announced more than $4 million in grant awards to support planning of proposed charter schools and first- and second- year start-up activities in new charter schools.

“Each community that opens a charter school must evaluate how it can best meet local needs and provide a curriculum that boosts learning for all students and helps close the achievement gap,” Burmaster said. “We will support proposals for new charter schools that have strong academic programs and innovative teaching practices, and that encourage community and parental involvement within a system of accountability for results in public education.”

This is the second year of Wisconsin’s $52 million three-year federal competitive grant to expand the number of charter schools. The 2006-07 grant awards provide funds for planning 35 new charter schools in 26 school districts, and support 25 charter schools that are in the first or second year of operation. Schools receiving grants will be eligible for supplemental planning and implementation funds later in the year. Additionally, $1.7 million of the state’s federal funding will be allocated for dissemination grants, which allow experienced charter schools to share information about their success.

During the 2005-06 school year, Wisconsin had 183 charter schools. The Department of Public Instruction anticipates that 18 new charter schools will open in the 2006-07 school year.

Last updated on 9/25/2006