Utah gets C grade on its charter laws

The Center for Education Reform, a pro-charter school nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has provided scores of each state's charter school laws. Utah received a C.

Washington, D.C., Minnesota, Delaware, Arizona, Michigan, Indiana and California each received an A.

The grades were based on a number of aspects of the state charter laws, from operations to accessibility of charter schools. The following were the Center of Education Reform's observations on transportation policies:

• Washington, D.C.: Charter school students, like regular public school students, are eligible for reduced public transportation fares.

• Minnesota: Busing is provided by the district or by charter schools for students in districts where charter schools are located. If charter schools provide transportation, they get state transportation aid. Schools may reimburse parents outside the district for transportation expenses if the family is below the federal poverty level.

• Delaware: Busing is by the district or charter school. If the school provides busing, then it gets state transportation aid.

• Arizona: For charter schools authorized by local school boards, transportation may be provided by the district. Other charter schools get state transportation aid.

• Michigan: Transportation is not required by any public school, but if transportation is provided for any students it must be provided for all.

• Indiana: Local districts must provide busing for charter schools, though the expense to districts cannot exceed 103 percent of the actual cost of the service.

• California: Specified in each charter, though the California Department of Education has interpreted that all students are entitled to busing.

• Utah: A charter school may provide transportation through a contract with the school board, a private provider or with parents, but schools are not eligible for state transportation funding.