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AMERICAN FORK — Utah's charter school ecosystem is set for a big boost thanks to a $44 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The federal grant, awarded to the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, will be administered over five years to develop new charter schools and help existing charter schools open new campuses across Utah.
"Utah families love charter schools," Royce Van Tassell, executive director of the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, said in a statement. "This grant will allow even more families to find their place in a public charter school of their choice."
Indeed, the Beehive State is home to 132 charter schools authorized by the Utah State Charter School Board, a state agency responsible for the authorization and oversight of public charter schools. These schools have a roster of 79,345 students — 11.8% of Utah's public students — according to the board.
The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Education's Charter School Program, where state-level applicants compete for a share of $440 million in annual grants appropriated by Congress.
The Utah Association of Public Charter Schools hopes the money will help more schools start on the right foot, setting a foundation for long-term success.
"Long experience has shown that schools that start well, perform well. I look forward to using this grant to help develop 20 new high-quality charter schools. We will be able to provide these schools with up to $2 million each during their start up and implementation phases," Shannon Greer, director of training for the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, said in the statement.
Since the money comes from a federal grant, strict stipulations govern how schools can use it. For example, new schools could use the funds to hire a director, rent office space and obtain the training, technology, software and supplies necessary to start a new charter.
Greer said the association also plans to expand its director incubator program, which "embeds potential directors in existing charter schools before their own school opens. It will provide them with hands-on experience running the day-to-day operations of a school."
"We are thrilled to use this federal grant to provide thousands of Utah families a broader choice of high-quality schools — schools that meet their children's needs. Utah parents want to be partners in their children's education and this grant helps make those hopes real," Van Tassell said.
