Updated description: Charter schools in New York trade greater autonomy over how to operate schools in exchange for greater accountability for academic outcomes. Each charter school has a charter or contract that is signed by its board of trustees and the authorizer of the school. As part of the contract, the Accountability Plan for each school establishes the academic goals that must be met and how those goals will be measured.
Contracts last a maximum of five years as set by law in the New York Charter Schools Act. To continue operating, a charter school must apply to renew its contract or charter at the end of each charter term. Receiving approval to continue operating is the core of the accountability required by the Act.
