By Maria Carter
kansas City, MO – Thirteen charter schools in Kansas city soon will have even more independence from the local school district. KCUR's Maria Carter reports.
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State and federal money now passes through the school district before heading to charter schools, but that will soon change at least for some schools. A provision in last years bill modifying Missouri's school funding formula let charter schools to establish local education agencies. This allows the schools to get money directly from the state and apply for state and federal grants on their own. Jocelyn Strand of the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says the move will cut down on bureaucracy.
Strand: "To make a very long story short, that's essentially what it is cutting out the middleman."
Charter schools will also be required to collect and report data like enrollment and graduation rates to the state on their own. The schools had to amend their charters with approval from their sponsors and the state. The change will go into effect in July.