This handbook provides information and materials to assist applicants in preparing an application to establish a charter school in Arizona. The topics discussed reflect the technical requirements of Arizona's charter-school legislation. It does not necessarily reflect the selection requirements or the policies of the State Board of Education, the State Board for Charter Schools, or an Arizona public school district. Either board and/or a district may approve an application if the application meets the requirements of the legislation, and may approve the charter if the proposed sponsor determines, within its sole discretion, that the application is sufficiently qualified to operate a charter school. As a sponsoring agent for charter schools, the individual boards and districts are committed to ensuring that all applicants have a fair and equal opportunity to submit a charter proposal that will meet this commitment. The handbook's purpose is to facilitate the application process and provide technical assistance to understand the key elements of legislation establishing charter schools, to provide answers to frequently asked questions about Arizona's charter schools as public schools, to provide information about important contacts, and to help save time in identifying resources from the Arizona Department of Education and other agencies. Sections deal with charter-school contracts, operations, resources to be ordered, and establishment of a small business. The handbook, however, is not intended to be an exhaustive discussion of these requirements. (DFR)