Wisconsin Charter Schools Yearbook - School Management Services

Foreword
Wisconsin is nationally known for our educational innovation. Our state’s charter
schools are a shining example. Wisconsin charter schools are public schools
accountable to their authorizer. In Wisconsin, there are currently 99, local school
boards that have authorized at least one charter school. Charter schools must employ
Department of Public Instruction (DPI)-certified staff and participate in the state
assessment system. Wisconsin charter schools encourage innovation and creativity in
their approach to providing educational options for parents and their children.
Communities throughout our state are coming together around a New Wisconsin
Promise to ensure that every child has a quality education and to close the
achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students, students of color,
and their peers. Wisconsin charter schools are part of our overall public education
efforts to fulfill our promise. The number of charter schools in Wisconsin has grown
steadily since the inception of the charter school law in 1993. For the 2007–08 school
year, children across the state were served by 231 different charter schools. This
publication provides a description of existing charter schools that are designed to
meet the needs of the local community and close the achievement gap.
Elizabeth Burmaster
State Superintendent
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