It is the intent of the legislature to provide opportunities for teachers, parents, students, and community members to establish and maintain public charter schools that operate independently from the existing traditional school district structure but within the existing public school system. In order to accomplish any of the following, public charter schools shall have equal access and authority to participate in all state and federal programs to the same extent as a traditional public school, irrespective of the instructional delivery method:
(1)  Improve student learning;

Terms Used In Idaho Code 33-5202

  • Charter: means the grant of authority approved by the authorized chartering entity to the board of directors of the public charter school. See Idaho Code 33-5202A
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories; and the words "United States" may include the District of Columbia and territories. See Idaho Code 73-114
  • Traditional public school: means any school existing or to be built that is operated and controlled by a school district in this state. See Idaho Code 33-5202A
(2)  Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for students;
(3)  Include the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
(4)  Utilize virtual distance learning and online learning;
(5)  Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site;
(6)  Provide parents and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system;
(7)  Hold the schools established under this chapter accountable for meeting measurable student educational standards.