Charter schools are schools which receive public funding but operate under a contract, or charter, with a state. Charter schools are operated by private education companies, educators and parents. They are independent of school districts, choosing their own curriculum and instructors. When students transfer to charter schools, their local school districts send the departing student’s funding allocation to the charter school. Studies have found urban charter schools tend to outperform local school districts at the elementary and middle school levels. However, suburban charter high schools have not shown an increase in academic performance over public high schools. The charter school program is now more than 20 years old and there are about 5,000 charter schools enrolling about 1.6 million American children in 43 states and the District of Columbia.

Opponents say charter schools have the effect of draining a school district's resources for the remaining students. They claim some cities and states even allow charter schools to use public school facilities, further reducing resources for public school students.
Supporters claim student transfers, and the threat of transfer, force underachieving schools to improve or risk closure.

Pending Legislation: H.R.65 - Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act
Sponsor: Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ)
Status: House Committee on Education & the Workforce
Chair: Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC)