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Black River Falls, the only Coulee Region district to receive funds, will use the grant to plan the Black River Area Green School.
“Charter schools are one option our school districts have to ensure a quality education for every child, raise achievement for all students and close the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students, students of color and their peers,” State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster said.
Wisconsin received $52 million in federal money in 2005 to expand the number of charter schools in the state. That funding in this round provided:
A total of $4,305,000 in grants were awarded for 2008-09. Recipients may be eligible for supplemental funding later this year.
Charter schools are public schools that are accountable to their authorizing agency for performance measures included in the charter contract. The schools must use licensed teachers, involve parents, administer statewide tests and comply with federal public school regulations.
Under state law, school districts can authorize an unlimited number of charter schools. In addition, the city of Milwaukee, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside between Racine and Kenosha can have charter schools. Wisconsin now has 226 charter schools.
