Charter schools incorporate the focus of magnet schools but often go beyond their academic specialization to more social goals. They can operate at both elementary and secondary levels, although they are always quite small. The greatest difference, however, between charter schools and other public schools is their status as a bridge between public and private institutions. Charter schools operate on a charter, or contract, between the school's founders and the state government or school district. They are largely exempt from school board regulations, promising improvement in student performance in exchange for the freedom to experiment with innovative approaches to learning. Some case studies illustrate urban charter schools in action. Concerns about charter schools can be grouped into concerns about: (1) accountability; (2) jurisdiction; (3) funding; (4) privatization; (5) discrimination; and (6) impact on other public schools. Review of these concerns and an exploration of the opportunities charter schools can provide lead to the conclusion that the experimental nature of charter schools is both their greatest risk and their greatest strength. (SLD)