Abstract:

Charter schools are a part of public schools in the United States that operate semi-autonomously according to contracts (charters) with accrediting agencies. The accrediting agencies are critical to the development of charter schools, and they are responsible for opening, evaluating and closing charter schools. Overall, there are six types of accrediting agency in the United States, including the Independent Charter Board, State Educational Authority, Higher Education Institutions, Local Educational Authority, Non-educational Government Entities, and Nonprofit Organizations. Each accrediting agency has its own strengths and weaknesses. Each state has its own supervision and accountability to the accrediting agencies through establishing quality standards, requiring school reports, and setting sanctions. The authorization and supervision of American charter schools play an important role in the development of American public schools. And it is suggested that China could draw lessons from American experience, including introducing diversified mechanism and specifying the special authorization, supervision and evaluation system for different types school, in order to promote the management of different types school and the development of elementary education in China.

Key words: the United States, charter school, accrediting agency, public school, school management