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What are Charter
Schools?
Charter schools are free public schools that operate
independently within the public
school system. They provide teachers and staff
flexibility in deciding their curriculum, staffing, and
budgets with the goal of improving student achievement.
Common reasons that some Jordan School District parents
have chosen charter schools for their children are to
avoid growth-related issues such as year-round schedules
or crowded classrooms, or for the alternative curriculum
provided.
The first charter school law was passed in Minnesota in
1991. Today there are 4,000
charter schools in forty states and Washington, D.C.
Utah currently has 58 charter schools located in 13 of
our 27 counties.
The Utah Legislature has exempted charter schools from
some state laws and State Board of Education rules. For
example, charter schools are exempt from negotiated
agreements regarding the hiring, employment conditions,
and dismissal of employees. Employees at charter schools
are “at-will” employees. Each Utah charter school also
chooses whether or not to participate in the Utah
Retirement System. Many Utah charter schools offer
defined
contribution plans (such as 401-K contributions) in
place of the URS defined benefit plan.
Charter schools are chartered either by the local
district or by the State Charter School
Board. Itineris Early College High School is the only
district-chartered school in the Jordan School District. |
Comparison of Public, Charter,
and Private Schools
What Charter Schools Exist
within Jordan School District?
Utah's 40 School Districts and
Designated Charter Schools
Utah State Office of Education
Charter School Information
National Education Association Charter School
Information
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