Charter Schools Program - Funding since 2000:

[The Straight Story]

Charter Schools Program


Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: Charter Schools, Public Charter Schools Program, CSP

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program provides financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools, and the dissemination of information on charter schools. Grants are available, on a competitive basis, to SEAs in states that have charter school laws; SEAs in turn make subgrants to developers of charter schools who have applied for a charter. If an eligible SEA elects not to participate or if its application for funding is not approved, the Department can make grants directly to charter school developers.

TYPES OF PROJECTS

An eligible applicant that receives a grant or subgrant may use the funds only for post-award planning and design of the education program of a charter school. It may carry out such activities as the refinement of the desired education results, the refinement of the methods for measuring progress toward achieving those results, and the initial implementation of the charter school. Implementation may include informing the community about the charter school and acquiring necessary equipment, materials, and supplies. Other eligible operational costs that cannot be met by state and local sources also may be covered. A state may reserve up to 10 percent of its allocation to support eligible charter schools for dissemination activities.

Additional Information

The Public Charter Schools Program supports the planning, development, and initial implementation of charter schools. Charter schools provide enhanced parental choice and are exempt from many statutory and regulatory requirements. In exchange for increased flexibility, charter schools are held accountable for improving student academic achievement. The objective is to replace rules-based governance with performance-based accountability, thereby stimulating the creativity and commitment of teachers, parents, and citizens.

States--and specifically their State educational Agencies (SEAs)-- are eligible to compete for grants if they have a charter school law in place. If an eligible SEA does not participate, charter schools from the State may apply directly to the U.S. Department of Education. Grantees receive up to 3 years of assistance, of which the charter school may use not more than 18 months for planning and program design and not more than 2 years for the initial implementation of a charter school.

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/charter/index.html



Charter Schools Program


Funding Status

2009

Appropriation: $216,031,000
Number of New Awards Anticipated: 6–10 for SEAs; 20–25 for non-SEAs
Average New Award: $5,000,000 for SEAs; $150,000 for non-SEAs
Range of New Awards: $500,000–$10,000,000 for SEAs; $10,000–$150,000 for non-SEAs
Number of Continuation Awards: 41
Average Continuation Award: $5,410,000 for SEAs; $137,342 for non-SEAs

2008

Appropriation: $190,000,000
Number of New Awards Anticipated: 10–12 for SEAs; 20–25 for non-SEAs
Average New Award: $5,000,000 for SEAs; $150,000 for non-SEAs
Range of New Awards: $500,000–$20,000,000 for SEAs; $10,000–$150,000 for non-SEAs
Number of Continuation Awards: 41
Average Continuation Award: $5,410,000 for SEAs; $137,342 for non-SEAs

2007

Appropriation: $200,000,000
Number of New Awards Anticipated: 10–12 for SEAs; 20–25 for non-SEAs
Average New Award: $5,000,000 for SEAs; $150,000 for non-SEAs
Range of New Awards: $500,000–$20,000,000 for SEAs; $10,000–$150,000 for non-SEAs
Number of Continuation Awards: 54
Average Continuation Award: $5,410,000 for SEAs; $137,342 for non-SEAs

2006

Appropriation: $214,782,480

2005

Appropriation: $216,952,384

2004

Appropriation: $218,702,000

2003

Appropriation: $198,700,000

2002

Appropriation: $200,000,000

2001

Appropriation: $190,000,000

2000

Appropriation: $145,000,000

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/charter/funding.html

[jody]

1. Obama is really pushing charter schools. Race to the Top gives 40 points to states with charters. nt

[sandnsea]

2. And 138 pts for policies that create great teachers

According to this, I'd say charters is a low priority for Obama.

"The Race to the Top Points System includes: 138 points for policies to encourage "great teachers and leaders"; 125 points for "state success factors" such as the state's education reform agenda; 70 points for standards and assessments; 50 points for turning around the lowest-achieving schools; 47 points for developing and using data systems to support instruction; 40 points for creating conditions for high-performing charter schools; and 15 points for making education funding a high priority and other reform conditions."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thomas-w-carroll/schumers-role-in-race-to_b_355075.html