Minnesota charter schools get extension on complying with new law

From The Minneapolis Star Tribune: Minnesota's charter schools will have an extra year to comply with a new state law, easing fears that some might have to close this summer. The state's 150 charter schools had faced a June 30 deadline to pair up with authorizers vetted by the state in a new process that the Legislature approved in 2009. Every charter school needs an authorizer -- a college, school district or nonprofit that keeps tabs on the school's finances and academic performance. More than 50 schools have yet to nail down the necessary oversight, but Gov. Mark Dayton has signed a bill that gives authorizers until the summer 2012 to apply for state approval.

FEBRUARY 2011...from The Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Dozens of charter schools in Minnesota face an uncertain future -- and some could be forced to close this summer -- as they adapt to a 2009 law designed to tighten supervision of their innovative programs. State law requires every charter school to be paired with a school district, college or nonprofit that monitors its finances and student performance. Under legislation passed in 2009, these "authorizers'' have until June 30 to demonstrate that they're capable of keeping closer tabs on the schools than was previously required.