The Oregon Public Charter School Legislation (ORS 338) was passed in May 1999 to encourage the creation of new, innovative and more flexible ways of educating all children within the public school system. Through the authorization of public charter schools, the Legislature created an avenue for parents, teachers, and community members to take responsible risks while remaining accountable to the state and local school districts for school performance.

• Charter schools are public schools in every way, funded through the state the same way as a standard district school. There is no tuition charged to attend a charter school, though full-day kindergarten fees may apply (as in any public school)

• Charter schools are non-religious by law.

• A charter school is an independent public school, sponsored and monitored by either the school district in which it resides or the state Department of Education. (*The Emerson School is sponsored by the Portland Public School District.)

• A charter school will be approved by a district based on its ability to meet a specific need in the school community; for example, by serving a specific population, targeting an underserved neighborhood, or by providing an innovative approach that, once proven effective, may be applied to other public schools.

• Charter schools must meet all state benchmarks and district testing requirements, as well as any additional benchmark requirements as determined by the district in the charter document. Charter schools often are subject to greater accountability in that a charter school may be closed down if the conditions of the charter with the district are not met.

• Charter schools provide for greater local and internal control and allow for more flexibility and innovation.

• Charter schools are “schools of choice.” Students may choose to attend the charter school even if the school is not in their attendance area.

• Charter school enrollment is determined by lottery. By law, no preference may be given in the lottery except to allow siblings of those students already enrolled to bypass the lottery.