Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. This handbook provides the vital information a director needs to understand in order to operate a charter school including: · Initiating and responding to change · Preparing the organization to implement change · Support for instruction and learning · Assessment and evaluation · School law, policies, and politics People establish charter schools for a variety of reasons—to realize an educational vision, to gain autonomy, or to serve a particular population. This book offers guidance to all who are considering the charter school model especially parents and teachers, school districts, community-based organizations (CBOs), teachers, administrators, families, students, and other key stakeholders such as businesses.