This article provides an overview of the charter school movement in the United States and a synthesis of the findings of the studies that have been conducted for nearly a decade by the University of Maryland in collaboration with the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). The research documents the evolution of charter schools from a somewhat radical reform initiative in a single state to an established program that now exists in 40 states and the District of Columbia. This research focuses specifically on how charter schools have served students with disabilities and the policy issues involved in providing special education in charter schools.