Under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2067.1(b), the State Board of Education typically grants 5-year charter contracts. At the petitioner’s request, a shorter term may be granted. However, charters may not exceed 10 years in duration. 

Yes. Charters may be amended in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2067.1. Any amendment must be approved by the appropriate authorizer(s) (local board, SBOE, or SCSC, as applicable). 

Yes. A charter contract may be terminated early if a school fails to meet performance, financial, or compliance obligations as outlined in the charter. 

Yes. As public schools, charter schools:

• Receive public funding (state, local, federal) 
• Cannot charge tuition 
• Must maintain fair, open enrollment 
• Must be nonsectarian 
• Must serve all students, including students with disabilities and English Learners 

• Autonomy and flexibility: Charter schools are governed by nonprofit boards rather than the local board; they operate with more flexibility in staffing, curriculum, and operations. 
• Accountability: In return for flexibility, charter schools are held to higher performance standards via the terms of their contracts. 

• Magnet/Choice schools are part of the district system, may have admissions criteria (e.g. test scores, recommendations), and operate under district policies. 
• Charter schools are independent from district control, are not allowed to screen applicants, and must offer open enrollment to all eligible students without selection criteria. 

• Charter schools receive public funding, cannot charge tuition, and must operate under state and federal regulations. 
• Private schools are funded privately, may charge tuition, and have greater discretion in admissions and curriculum.

• Start-up charter schools: Schools that are newly established as charters. 
• Conversion charter schools: Existing traditional public schools that convert to charter status to gain increased flexibility. 
• State-chartered special schools: Schools authorized by the State (via SCSC) when the local district denies a petition or in other special circumstances. 

Yes. Charter schools, as public schools, must comply with IDEA, Section 504, and applicable federal and state disability laws to serve students with disabilities. 

Charter schools are held accountable through their charter contracts, which include academic performance goals, metrics, reporting requirements, and consequences for failing to meet benchmarks.