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The information contained in this report is based on data collected from the Charter School Facilities Survey in Louisiana during the 2017-18 school year. The Charter School Facilities Survey consists of 55 base questions which are used in every participating state, with an option for participating states to include 15 additional state-specific questions that capture the local charter school facilities context. The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) added 15 additional custom questions on facilities issues specific to Louisiana. Topics addressed in the survey include the following: waiting lists and future facility plans; facility ownership and co-location; facility amenities and instructional spaces; facility condition and security; and facility funding and expenditures. The Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI) team identified 146 brick and mortar Louisiana charter school facilities that were eligible to participate in the survey. The survey was sent electronically to the school leaders at all eligible charter schools. Survey data was collected between March and April of 2018. School leaders at 103 eligible charter school facilities completed the Charter School Facilities survey. In addition to the data collected in the survey, the League also collected additional data on school enrollment, student demographics, and school funding from the Louisiana Department of Education. Key findings include: (1) Charter schools in the Orleans Parish operate more frequently in district facilities than charter schools outside of the Orleans Parish; (2) Charter schools that operate in district facilities pay less for rent than schools that operate in facilities owned by other types of organizations; (3) Many Louisiana charter schools lack the technology, facility amenities, and specialized instructional spaces they require to best implement their educational program; (4) Charter schools in Louisiana are planning on increasing student enrollment over the next five years, but over half of these charter schools do not have adequate space in their current facility for additional students; and (5) There are underutilized or vacant district facilities throughout Louisiana. From a legislative priority perspective, there are several possible solutions Louisiana may consider adopting to help mitigate the facilities challenges that exist in many parishes: (1) Fund the Charter School Start-Up Fund or create a state grant or loan program for charter school facilities: (2) Pass a requirement for districts to provide school district space or funding to charter schools if the majority of that school's students reside in that district; (3) Create a per-pupil facilities allowance that annually reflects average district capital costs; (4) Pledging the moral obligation of the state to help charter schools obtain more favorable bond financing terms. [This report was prepared on behalf of the Louisiana Association for Public Charter Schools.]

Charter schools operate under an independent contract with an authorizer, which allows the school to operate with autonomy related to curriculum, staff, and budget. During the 2017-18 school year, charter schools across the United States served more than 3 million students, accounting for approximately 6 percent of all K-12 public school students. Nationwide, there has been increasing demand and need for charter schools, yet access to adequate school facilities is a continued barrier to the growth of the charter school sector. Public charter schools often do not have equal access to adequate facilities. As a result, charter schools often operate in non-traditional spaces, such as strip malls, churches, or converted buildings, which place constraints on instructional practices. Since these non-traditional spaces are not equipped to function as a school, charter schools must spend additional funding on facilities in order to renovate an existing building or build a facility to meet the needs of their students. In order to help states advocate for equal facilities and funding access, there is a need for additional research to collect data on state-specifc facilities challenges. In the spring of 2018, the National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC), and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (National Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of Oklahoma. The information contained in this report is based on data collected from the Charter School Facilities Survey in Oklahoma for the 2017-18 school year. Key findings from this report include the following: (1) Charter school demand is high in Oklahoma and schools will need assistance with securing larger facilities to meet their growth projections; (2) Oklahoma charter schools spent, on average, $222 per pupil annually on facilities and this spending varied across different ownership types; (3) Although co-location presents challenges for Oklahoma charter schools, they still would consider co-location in an underutilized district facility if given the option; (4) Half of Oklahoma charter schools lack the facility amenities and specialized instructional spaces they require to best implement their educational program; and (5) Oklahoma charter schools require additional resources to improve the safety of their facility and had facility-related concerns about the learning environment. [This report was produced with the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center.]

In the Spring of 2017, the National Charter School Resource Center, (NCSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League) and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (the Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of Colorado. The data collection in Colorado was supported by the Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI), which is a national project developed by the League to research charter school facilities and facilities expenditures across the country. Colorado was first surveyed for the CSFI project during the 2007-08 school year. The current 2016-17 survey is intended to, in part, shed light on recent changes in the state's charter sector. The information contained in this report is based on the Charter School Facilities Survey and enrollment data collected for the 2016-17 school year. In addition, current findings with those from the prior state survey conducted in 2007-08 were compared. The policy conclusions are based on the charter school facility landscape in Colorado, the national facility landscape, and the collective expertise of the NCSRC, the League, and the Alliance. In 2016-17, Colorado charter schools served over 114,0004 students -- or nearly 13 percent of the roughly 905,000 public school students statewide. In 2016-17, 38 percent of Colorado charter school students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, as compared to 44 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools across the state. Charter schools in Colorado serve a diverse student population -- 47 percent of students enrolled in charter schools in 2016-17 were students of color, as compared to approximately 46 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools. Key findings include the following: (1) Colorado charter schools spend operating dollars on facilities and this spending varies across different ownership situations; (2) Colorado's charter sector is poised for continued growth, but state facility funding is not keeping pace with rising enrollment and real estate costs; (3) Facility costs for Colorado charter schools are increasing; (4) More districts in Colorado are sharing bond revenue with their authorized charter schools, but charter schools continue to lack access to state grant funding; (5) Many Colorado charter schools continue to lack the facility amenities, technology, and specialized instructional spaces they require to best implement their educational programs; (6) Physical education and recreational options may be limited for Colorado charter school students; and (7) Serving meals can be a challenge for many Colorado charter schools. The Charter School Facilities Survey found that Colorado charter schools face challenges in obtaining equitable access to facilities and facilities funding. The Conclusions section further expands on the policy solutions that can be utilized to address the facilities challenges of Colorado's charter schools.

In the spring of 2017, the National Charter School Resource Center (NSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NHAPCS) and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (the Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of New Hampshire. The data collection in New Hampshire was supported by the Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI), which is a national project developed by the League to research charter school facilities and facilities expenditures across the country.The CSFI team identified 24 brick and mortar New Hampshire charter school facilities that were eligible to participate in this project. All 24 eligible charter school facilities completed the Charter School Facilities Survey. The survey methodology used for the report was designed to address New Hampshire-specific facility and policy related issues, including: shared use information, facility amenities, ownership, financing, grade levels, and waiting lists. The information contained in this report is based on the Charter School Facilities Survey and enrollment data collected for the 2016-17 school year. The policy conclusions are based on school facility landscape in New Hampshire, the national facility landscape, the collective expertise of the NCSRC, the League, NHAPCS, and the Alliance. In 2016-17, New Hampshire charter schools served over 3,000 students -- or nearly 2 percent of the roughly 180,000 public school students statewide. In 2016-17, 17 percent of New Hampshire charter school students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, as compared to 27 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools across the state. Charter schools in the state serve a relatively diverse student population -- 17 percent of students enrolled in charter schools in 2016-17 were students of color, as compared to approximately 14 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools. Key findings include: (1) New Hampshire charter schools spend operating dollars on facilities and this spending varies across different ownership situations; (2) New Hampshire charter schools have limited access to state and local facilities funding; (3) The majority of New Hampshire charter schools are lacking the amenities and specialized instructional spaces required to best implement their educational programs; (4) New Hampshire charter schools have limited access to space in vacant or underutilized district facilities; and (5) Physical education and recreational options may be limited for New Hampshire charter school students. The Charter School Facilities Survey found that New Hampshire charter schools face challenges in obtaining equitable access to facilities and facilities funding. While funding challenges in the state have been apparent for some time, this analysis of charter school facilities expenses and conditions reveals the concrete impacts of this persistent funding gap on facility quality and affordability. [This report was also produced by the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NHAPCS).]

Nationally, the demand for charter schools is high, yet access to affordable school facilities is a continued barrier to the growth of the charter sector. This paper, produced by the National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC) in partnership with the Colorado League of Charter Schools (CLCS) and Momentum Strategies & Research, addresses two intriguing sources of financing--one new and one benefitting from renewed attention: Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development programs. Many charter schools are unaware of the financing available through these programs, so this paper explores the potential for charter schools to access these sources. Increased awareness of these programs may help charter schools obtain financing for a facility, resulting in continued growth of the charter sector and additional high-quality seats for students across the country. As this study demonstrates many charter schools are in or near communities that are eligible for one of these programs, and a substantial portion of those schools are likely to need new buildings or substantial renovations in the next few years. The funding options described herein have the potential to increase access to facilities financing and reduce overall facilities costs. [This paper was produced in partnership with Momentum Strategies and Research.]