Charter public schools across Michigan are working to provide high-quality educational opportunities for tens of thousands of schoolchildren. As they undertake this important work, they are accountable to students, families, and communities and a critical group of oversight agencies known as authorizers. Authorizers are responsible for issuing charter contracts to school boards, and then holding them accountable for their performance according to the terms of those contracts.
The Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers (The Council) serves as a collaborative non-profit, non-partisan professional organization that allows for sharing of issues, ideas, resources and best practices among all authorizers working in the state. Council members have been working together to keep Michigan's charter school strategy in motion since 1994.
Charter Cap Lifted on University Authorized Schools
Public Act 277 of 2011 has been signed into law by Governor Snyder.
Charter school advocates claim the passage of Senate Bill 618 marks a historic moment in the public education for Michigan.
“This vote was the most significant event in education reform since passage of Proposal A and the creation of school choice in Michigan,” said Billie Kops Wimmer, executive director of the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers.
For a description of the new law, see here.
Charter Application Windows open
The following authorizers are taking applications now. For more information, please click on the links below and be sure to consult our Authorizer Resources page for the Charter Application. You may also wish to visit each Authorizer's webpage for more information. Links are available from our Member page under "About".
Grand Valley State University will accept applications year round.
Saginaw Valley State University will accept applications year round.
Central Michigan University will accept applications year round.
Ferris State University has instituted a rolling application cycle; dates for sumbission are as follows for fall 2013 or fall 2014:
Window 1 March 22, 2013 Board of Trustees Meeting
Taking applications now until September 3, 2012
Aug. 1, 2012 - Feb 1, 2013 Application window opens *
Window 2 July 10, 2013 Board of Trustees Meeting
Jan. 2, 2013 - May 1, 2013 Application window opens
Window 3 November 1, 2013 Board of Trustees Meeting
April 1, 2013 -September 3 Application window opens
*Last window for 2013 Opening
Lake Superior State University will have two windows for accepting applications for a charter contract beginning this fall. LSSU will accept applications September 10 through October 1, 2012. And again from January 1 through January 31, 2013.