How are charter schools governed?
There is a range of governance structures in charter schools. In California, some charter schools, referred to legally as “dependent” charter schools, are established or remain a legal arm of the school district or county office of education that granted their charter. Other charter schools, a.k.a. legally “independent” charter schools, function as independent legal entities and are usually governed by or as public benefit (“not-for-profit”) corporations. Still other charter schools form some sort of legal hybrid, or “in-between” structure, in which some governance powers remain with the district or county and others rest with the school governing body. The school’s governance structure must be clearly described in the charter. The charter-granting agency has the responsibility ensure that the charter schools for which they have granted charters are meeting the terms of their charter, are fiscally managed well, and are complying with all applicable laws. For more information on charter
