ERIC Number: ED615907
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Sep-27
Pages: 39
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
K-12 Education: Challenges Locating and Securing Charter School Facilities and Government Assistance. Briefing to the Republican Leader, House Committee on Education and Labor. GAO-21-104446
Nowicki, Jacqueline M.
US Government Accountability Office
Charter schools are public schools established under charters, typically with state or local entities. In return for more flexibility and autonomy, charter schools must meet specific accountability standards. This briefing from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) describes: (1) the challenges charter schools face when attempting to locate and secure facilities; and (2) select programs available to help charter schools address challenges when locating and securing facilities. To explore these topics, GAO conducted interviews with state, school district, and charter school officials in California and Colorado and with Department of Education (Education) officials, representatives of nonprofit organizations that provide financing to charter schools, and other stakeholders. They also reviewed agency documents, such as guidance documents on Education's two facilities-focused grant programs, and relevant federal and state laws, regulations, and policies. GAO's findings are not generalizable to all states, school districts, and charter schools. However, some of the challenges described are consistent with their 2000 and 2003 reports on challenges charter schools face when locating and securing facilities. For example, affording the purchase or lease of a school facility, finding available space to house a charter school, and ensuring that the space is suitable for students and staff. In this review, GAO also heard about challenges not previously reported, such as a lack of consistent support from local government and school districts for charter schools' facility needs. While challenges locating and securing facilities continue to persist, many states, including those covered by this review, have implemented programs that may help charter schools address them. For example, a 2019 report published by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools noted that 18 states had per-pupil facility allowances that can be used to help cover some facilities expenses for charter schools. Enclosures include: (1) K-12 Education: Challenges Locating and Securing Charter School Facilities and Government Assistance. Briefing to the Republican Leader, House Committee on Education and Labor (August 2, 2021); and (2) Information on Programs for Charter School Facilities in Selected States and the Department of Education.
Descriptors: Elementary Secondary Education, Charter Schools, Educational Facilities, Accountability, School Location, Public Education, Educational Finance, Site Selection
US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Publication Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: US Government Accountability Office
Identifiers - Location: California; Colorado
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A