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For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 25, 2001
Contact:Jonathan Palumbo, 781-338-3105

Department of Education Encourages Applications for Charter Schools, Holds Information Session

Malden - Applications are available for teachers, parents and members of the public to apply to open seventeen Commonwealth and twenty-seven Horace Mann charter schools. The Department of Education will host an informational session for anyone interested in applying for new charters. The session will be held on Wednesday, August 1st, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Abby Kelley Foster Charter School in Worcester. Commissioner of Education David P. Driscoll said, "Charter schools are a vibrant component of Education Reform. These schools provide parents, teachers and community members an opportunity to create a unique learning environment and academic program for the students they serve. I encourage everyone considering opening a charter school to attend an information session to learn more about this exciting opportunity. We look forward to receiving a large number of promising applications." Charter schools are independent public schools that have been operating in Massachusetts since September 1995. There are two types of Charter Schools: Commonwealth Charter Schools and Horace Mann Charter Schools. Charters are granted by the Massachusetts Board of Education. The schools have the freedom to organize around a core mission, curriculum, theme, or teaching method. They control their own budgets and hire (and fire) teachers and staff. In return for this freedom, a charter school needs to attract and retain students and produce positive results within five years or lose its charter. In the 2000-2001 school year, 40 charter schools (35 Commonwealth and 5 Horace Mann) were open, enrolling more than 12,000 students from more than 200 school districts. In September 2001, an additional Commonwealth and Horace Mann charter will open and five Commonwealth and one Horace Mann are scheduled to open in 2002. Statewide, at least 11,000 students are waiting to be enrolled in charter schools. Members of the public who are interested in attending the information session should call the Department of Education Charter School office at 781-338-3227, or e-mail lstanford@doe.mass.edu. For charter applications or more information visit the Department of Education website at www.doe.mass.edu/charter/.



Last Updated: July 25, 2001



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