The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) vigorously supports educational reforms within the public schools which promote rigorous learning standards, strong educational outcomes, shared decision making, diverse educational offerings, and the removal of unnecessary administrative requirements. However, such schools must reflect a commitment to free and universal public education, with equality of educational opportunity for all. Regardless of who takes responsibility for the delivery of educational services for children and youth with exceptionalities--children and youth with disabilities and those who are gifted and talented--who attend a charter school, the chartering agency and authorizer, and, ultimately, the highest governmental authority, must ensure that the rights of children and youth with exceptionalities are upheld. It is the policy of CEC that the following criteria with respect to children and youth with exceptionalities be adhered to when parents, professionals, school authorities, policymakers, and authorizers consider the development of charter school policy, the content of contracts or agreements establishing individual charter schools, the operation of charter schools, and the renewal of a charter: (1) Student Access; (2) Provision of Free, Appropriate, Public Education Provided in the Least Restrictive Environment; (3) Financing the Education of Children With Exceptionalities; and (4) Accountability.