In 2000, Minnesota received the Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government for its charter school law. As the first state to pass a charter school law in 1991 and the first state to open a charter school in 1992, Minnesota has been a pioneer in charter school public policy.
Charter schools vary from state to state because state law governs charter schools. According to the U.S. Department of Education information on U.S. Charter Schools, "laws cover seven basic policy and legal areas:
Charter development: Who may propose a charter, how charters are granted, the number of charter schools allowed, and related issues.
School status: How the school is legally defined and related governance, operations, and liability issues.
Fiscal: The level and types of funding provided and the amount of fiscal independence and autonomy.
Students: How schools are to address admissions, non-discrimination, racial/ethnic balance, discipline, and special education.
Staffing and Labor Relations: Whether the school may act as an employer, which labor relations laws apply, and other staff rights and privileges.
Instruction: The degree of control a charter school has over the development of its instructional goals and practices.
Accountability: Whether the charter serves as a performance-based contract, how assessment methods are selected, and charter revocation and renewal issues." Minnesota Statute 124D.10 defines these seven areas and other related areas.