In 1991, Minnesota passed the first charter school law in the United States, allowing state funds to support schools that operate autonomously from the public educational system. The charter school idea caught on quickly, with 40 states and the District of Columbia passing charter school laws between 1991 and 2006. By fall 2005, there were
In this article on charter schools, we explore the foundational principles, characteristics, and historical evolution of these educational institutions. By comparing charter schools to traditional public schools, we highlight their autonomy and flexibility in curriculum and operations, along with exemplary case studies. Subsequently, we delve into the educational impact and outcomes of charter schools, analyzing
Charter schools represent a relatively new school reform strategy in the United States for children in kindergarten through 12th grade (K−12). Starting with the passage of the first charter school law by the legislature of Minnesota in 1991, the number of states with charter school legislation has grown to 41 states and the District of