Changes

A '''charter school''' is a publicly-financed school free of the [[liberal]] teachers' unions and exempt from many of the usual requirements imposed by the state board of education. This exemption is permitted in return for a promise to deliver higher student achievement, as set out in the school's charter.<ref>Charter schools promise to improve student achievement as a condition of relief from some of the rules and regulations that apply to traditional public schools ... [ NEA]</ref>  Unlike private, parochial, or Christian schools, charter schools must (subject to space availability) accept students regardless of religious view, educational ability, or prior disciplinary problems (except for the most serious cases).

A '''charter school''' is a publicly-financed school free of the [[liberal]] teachers' unions and exempt from many of the usual requirements imposed by the state board of education. This exemption is permitted in return for a promise to deliver higher student achievement, as set out in the school's charter.<ref>Charter schools promise to improve student achievement as a condition of relief from some of the rules and regulations that apply to traditional public schools ... [ NEA]</ref>  Unlike private, parochial, or Christian schools, charter schools must (subject to space availability) accept students regardless of religious view, educational ability, or prior disciplinary problems (except for the most serious cases).  The [[NEA]] opposes charter schools, which typically do not use teachers' unions that benefit the NEA.

* Public charter schools, now legal in 40 states plus [[D.C.]], receive varying degrees of relief from constricting regulations and teacher contract rules. The group holding the charter—it may be a consortium of parents or a university or a non-profit organization—is accountable for the school’s performance: if a school fails, it can be closed. [http://www.city-journal.org/html/6_3_a2.html]

* Public charter schools, now legal in 40 states plus [[D.C.]], receive varying degrees of relief from constricting regulations and teacher contract rules. The group holding the charter—it may be a consortium of parents or a university or a non-profit organization—is accountable for the school’s performance: if a school fails, it can be closed. [http://www.city-journal.org/html/6_3_a2.html]

*[[Missouri]] allows charter schools in the St. Louis (where there are about 20) and Kansas City areas only.<ref>http://www.mocharterschools.org/</ref>  Missouri recently passed SB 576 to expand charter schools while requiring greater transparency and accountability for them.

*[[Missouri]] allows charter schools in the St. Louis (where there are about 20) and Kansas City areas only.<ref>http://www.mocharterschools.org/</ref>  Missouri recently passed SB 576 to expand charter schools while requiring greater transparency and accountability for them.

== Certification requirement ==

== Certification requirement ==