This varies from state to state, depending on the state’s charter law. In Georgia, for example, there are two types of authorizers: school district boards of education, or the state board. Individuals or groups seeking to establish a charter public school must apply to the local school board of the district in which the school will be located and if approved, the petition is then sent to the state board of education for approval.

If a charter petition is denied at the local level, the petitioner may appeal to the state to become a “state charter special school”. If approved, the charter school will not receive local dollars/funding for operations.