What are charter schools?

Charter schools which have been secured as part of an Act-National coalition deal are causing controversy - but what are they? Photo / Thinkstock

What are charter schools?

- School boards free to operate schools as they want or contract management to the private sector

- More freedom to set curriculum, length of the school day, performance-pay for teachers, and raising revenues through sponsorship with iwi, community groups, the private sector.

- Public funding to continue based on student numbers. No tuition fees

- All students must be accepted regardless of academic ability. If over capacity, a ballot system could run

- Providers to compete to run existing schools, or set up a new one

- Schools may be eligible for capital funding for school property, or choose to rent, rather than own

- May set a zone as long as it does not deny access for disadvantaged students

- Accountable to school sponsors and subject to external review