The legal summary I quoted above grants the same terms to public charter schools as traditional schools. They can administer diagnostic testing but cannot turn a student away “on the basis of a child’s knowledge, skills, or disability.”

I know my son had to apply and test for admission to one, and students are identified as “academically qualified.” The state policy is a little more complex than you understand.

If so, he is incorrect (http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/faq.htm):

“The Charter Schools Act [C.R.S. 22-30.5-104 (3)] prohibits discrimination based on academic ability. Diagnostic or placement exams may be given to students after they have been officially enrolled. As with all public schools, a charter school may create eligibility thresholds for enrollment that are consistent with their area of focus or grade levels, but the school’s methods for determining eligibility cannot be designed, intended, or used to discriminate on the basis of a child’s knowledge, skills, or disability. For instance, a charter high school may deny admission to a student not completing the 8th grade, but it cannot deny admission to a student who has an “unsatisfactory” score on a CSAP test.”

Yes, some charter schools in Colorado employ a lottery system, and some use a first-come, first-served waiting list method. But they cannot discriminate any more or less than any other public school that receives a student either through neighborhood assignment or open enrollment.

Be careful of the schools defense systems though – PTA yes moms and unionistas will hound you to death with their siren calls for more “per pupil spending” and “adequate funding.”

Hmmmmmmm…creative destruction…Dharma Initiative….it’s all starting to make sense.

Michael-

Yes and there is an expulsion procedure for behavior. The same is true of district schools.

http://www.redzeppelin.org/images/07/050207.jpg

Do students/families have to enter their names in the lotteries?

Can students lose their place for performance or behavior?