GSU Study Finds Funding Often a Challenge for New Charter Schools ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Charter schools operate a bit differently than traditional schools. They're excused from certain state mandates. In exchange, they make a promise or charter that students will excel at specific standards.

A recent Georgia State University study finds the state's charter schools are doing a good job of educating students. The problem often is financial, according to Assistant Professor Cynthia Searcy.

"About 40% of the charter schools we examined had either a negative operating balance or negative net assets for that particular year."

Searcy adds that ensuring funding is important because charter schools are catalysts for innovation.

"If we really want to use them as those types of vehicles, how can we prevent them from closing their doors?"

One way, the study finds, is by sharing costs between schools. Searcy says that's worked for the Atlanta area, where about two-thirds of Georgia's start-up charter schools are located.

Jim Burress, WABE News.



To read the entire GSU study, click here.
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