Funded: Charters

Charter funding policies and reporting practices within each state may vary depending on the entity that authorized the charter school. Charter schools in Oklahoma may be authorized by local school districts, the State Board of Education on appeal, and other entities, such as institutions of higher education. Virtual charter schools may be authorized by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board

Funding for charter schools in Oklahoma is calculated based on a formula similar to the one used to calculate funding for traditional public schools.

Like traditional public schools, charter schools are funded through a student-based formula that applies weights for students in certain grade levels, English-language learners, students from low-income households, students with disabilities, and gifted students. In addition, charter schools are eligible for program-specific allocations.

Some charter schools in Oklahoma receive all funding directly from the state, while others receive all funding through local school districts.

Charter schools that are authorized by the State Board of Education, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, a higher education institution, or another entity other than a local school district will receive all funding directly from the state. Charter schools that are authorized by a local school district will receive funding through the local school district.

Charter schools in Oklahoma will have a share of their funding withheld, with the maximum set by state law.

Entities that sponsor school districts may withhold up to 5% of the charter school’s funding for administrative services rendered. In Oklahoma, these entities may include local school districts, the State Board of Education, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, a higher education institution, a technology center school district, or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

Charter schools in Oklahoma do not receive a share of local tax revenue.

Charter schools in Oklahoma constitute their own local education agencies.

Charter schools authorized by the State Board of Education, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, a higher education institution, or another entity other than a local school district constitute their own local education agencies. Charter schools authorized by local school districts are considered a district within that school district but constitute local education agencies for purposes of federal funding.

Charter school students in Oklahoma are counted as students of the charter they attend for state reporting purposes.

State funding for charter schools in Oklahoma is reported separately from state funding for any district.

Charter school expenditures in Oklahoma are reported separately from expenditures of any school district.

Click here for Oklahoma's traditional district funding information.