Charter approval process differs in Georgia and neighboring states

Georgia and surrounding states offer different paths for the approval of charter school applicants.

Parents or groups that want to establish a charter school in Georgia must first go to their local school board. If they are rejected there, they can turn to the state Board of Education.

Charter school supporters are hoping Georgia voters open up a third path to approval by passing an amendment to the state constitution that would establish a commission to consider charter applications.

That amendment, however, is the source of an intense campaign that has made a state a focal point in a broader discussion about school choice.

Subscribers can read our story on how charter applications are handled and get caught up on the battle over the amendment in Sunday’s AJC or on our subscription tablet app.