To which chartering board should I apply?
Although the two chartering boards have similar petition guidelines, your choice of chartering board has implications both for the petition process and beyond. If you are successful, the board that grants you your charter has the authority to monitor your activities and to decide whether to revoke your charter at five years or refuse to renew it at 15 years.
The main differences between the two boards result from vastly different mindsets: the D.C. Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) is in business only to grant and monitor charters. DCPCSB members, though sometimes demonstrating a lack of understanding of the School Reform Act and of the philosophy underpinning the charter school movement, can be considered proponents of public charter schooling.
The Board of Education (BOE), on the other hand, has oversight not just over its charter schools but also over 145 traditional schools. Many of the members of the BOE aren't keen about their charter school responsibilities and some even appear hostile to the idea of public charter schools. Some BOE members also think that charter schools should exist only to do things they feel the traditional schools don't do very well, such as special education.
From the beginning the BOE has had a weak and badly organized charter school operation. In past years this made it somewhat easier to get a charter from the BOE; lately, however, the Board has approved very few charters. Board monitoring has been intrusive and heavily oriented toward compliance, in the tradition of school systems everywhere. The charter school office of the Board does little or nothing to support school leaders.
The DCPCSB is much better organized and operates in a professional manner. The Board's monitoring of approved schools is far less arbitrary and capricious than that of the BOE (although still intrusive), and the board prides itself on helping its schools through difficulties.
We recommend that you review the application procedures of both boards and talk with FOCUS staff before selecting a board to receive your petition.
