Charter Schools in Wisconsin

To view or download in PDF Wisconsin Charter Schools Yearbook 2007-2008
or email Julie Blaney or call 608-266-5880 to have a copy sent.

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Grant Applications for 2008-09 are available. Planning Grant Application Implementation Grant Application Implementation Renewal Grant Application Dissemination Grant Application Dissemination Renewal Grant Application Mediasite presentation: Charter School planning and implementation grants Guidance for Charter School Subgrantees, 2008 Power Point Presentation Guidelines for Wisconsin Charter School Expenditures Title V, Part B Non-Regulatory Guidance Charter School Governance Issues (word document) Federal definition of a Charter School, Spring 2007 (word document). Contract Benchmark Guidelines

DPI's Data Collection Reporting Schedule
2R Contact Information 2007-2008
Resources
Authorizer and Charter School Accountability Under the No Child Left Behind Act, a DPI/NACSA joint publication.
Virtual Schools - Wisconsin Needs New Legislation
Virtual Schools 2007-2008
21st Century Presentation from 2008 Wisconsin Charter School Conference

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Charter schools are public, nonsectarian schools created through a businesslike contract or "charter" between the operators and the sponsoring school board or other chartering authority. The Wisconsin charter school law gives charter schools freedom from most state rules and regulations in exchange for greater accountability for results. The charter defines the missions and methods of the charter school; the chartering authority holds the school accountable to its charter. The charter school motto is "Autonomy for Accountability".

Wisconsin established charter schools to foster an environment of creativity. They can exist as living laboratories that influence the larger public school system and introduce an element of competition within that system. Charter schools are created with the best elements of regular public schools in mind. Their leaders may experiment with different instructional theories, site-based management techniques, and other innovations. They learn, sometimes by trial and error, what works best for their student population. Regular schools can observe and learn from what happens in the charter school and make similar improvements. Through this process, the entire public school system is continually challenged to improve itself.

Wisconsin also wants each charter school to meet the special needs and interests of its community, parents, and students. This is what makes each charter school unique. While many goals for educating and preparing children are similar, each charter school fulfills a specific local need in education. Some charter schools offer a choice to parents and students in the area of curriculum, teaching methodology, and classroom structure. Others work to keep that small population of at-risk students from falling through the cracks, offering counseling, personal attention, and support. In districts with charter schools, the community, school boards, and parents have identified their public education needs and have established charters that meet them.

Contact: For technical assistance contact:
Margaret McMurray, Charter Schools Consultant (CESAs 1,7,8, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Parkside, and the City of Milwaukee), 1-888-245-2732, ext.5 (toll-free) or 608-266-5728, Barry Golden,, Charter Schools Consultant (CESAs 2,3,4,5,6,9,10,11,and 12), 608-267-9111

For a hard copy of Wisconsin Charter Schools 2006-2007, click Yearbook, or call 608-266-5880.

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Resources

• UW-Milwaukee Charter Schools
• Guidelines for Charter School Expenditures
• Legislative Report on Charter Schools 2004-05
• Legislative Report on Charter Schools 2003-04
• Legislative Report on Charter Schools 2002-03
• Legislative Report on Charter Schools 2001-02
• Charters and NCLB
• Questions and Answers
• Charter Startup Resources
• DPI Special Education Team Website

For questions about this information, contact Jackie Abel (608) 266-2819

Last updated on 5/6/2008