This resource is a concise, at-a-glance overview designed to help education leaders, policymakers, and Charter Schools Program (CSP) grantees assess how state definitions of charter schools compare with the federal definition outlined in Section 4310(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

This document contains detailed profiles for each state and territory with charter laws, highlighting whether their definitions align with the federal charter school definition’s 13 required elements. These profiles include references to the relevant state laws, ensuring transparency and enabling users to verify the information. By understanding these differences, shareholders can ensure compliance with federal requirements and strengthen eligibility for CSP funding.

For more information, review the other guides in the State Charter Laws series: