The No Child Left Behind Act provides grants to states to expand the number of charter schools. The U.S. Department of Education views charter schools as important alternatives in communities with struggling schools. Included: Information about the federal Charter Schools Program.

Idaho received a $1.9 million federal grant to expand the number of charter schools in the state and test the progress of the schools' students. The grant was issued through the U.S. Department of Education's Charter Schools Program, which is tied to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

Idaho expected to have 24 charter schools this fall.

The purpose of the Charter Schools Program is to increase national understanding of the charter school model and to expand the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The monies are meant to provide financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools, and for evaluating the effects of charter schools, including the effects on students, student academic achievement, staff, and parents. Additionally the program aids in the dissemination of information and successful practices.

SOURCE:

Some of the information in this article comes from the U.S. Department of Education. To learn more about this article, you might read:

• $1.9 million to go to charter schools
  This news article appeared in the Idaho Statesman on August 7, 2005. Note: This link was live at the time of publication. Some newspaper Web sites require registration. Others retain complete news stories for a limited time.