This is a follow-up to my message of a month or so ago.

The final FY '96 budget for the US Department of Education increases
funding for charter school planning grants from $6 million to $18
million.

The Dept. of Ed. funds mostly go to the states, but there is a
possibility that it may want to do something directly.  (Also, if
your state does have a charter school law but does not accept the federal
funds, you can apply directly to DOE.)

DOE is interested in working with museums.  We're not entirely sure what that
means yet, but at least we have their attention.

Stay tuned.

States that have charter laws (as of a few weeks ago):  AK, AZ, AR, CA,
CO, DE, GA, HI, KS, LA, MA, MI, MN, NH, NM, NJ, OR, RI, TX, WI, WY and
the District of Columbia.  Please contact me if you would like the
contact name for your state, or if you have other questions.  Please see
the front page of this month's Aviso for a short description of charter
schools.

Andy Finch
AAM Government Affairs
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