Charter School Grant Program & Multiple Campuses

The feds recently changed the nonregulatory guidance for the Charter School Program, which is a part of No Child Left Behind. Colorado uses its federal grant to fund startup and implementation grants for new charter schools.

Previously every charter school that was funded had to have a separate charter. Several schools in the state adhered to this criteria by having multiple charters under one governing board. Now the feds are saying a K-12 system, even if there are two or three separate charters, cannot be funded. However, "separate and distinct" charter schools, on multiple campuses but under one charter, can be funded.

In order for a state to be able to fund multiple campuses the state must file an amendment to the approved grant application and have it approved by the feds. There is interest in Colorado to have the ability to fund multiple campuses.