American public education has changed numbers of American parents and teachers are in recent years. One change is that increasing starting independent public schools【51】 charter schools (特许学校). In 1991, there were no charter schools in the United States. Today, more than 2,300 charter schools【52】 in 34 states and the District of Columbia. 575,000 students【53】 these schools. The students are from 5 years of age through 18 or older. A charter school is【54】 by groups of parents, teachers and community (社区) members. It is similar in some ways【55】 a traditional public school. It receives tax money to operate just as other public schools do. The【56】 it receives depends on the number of students. The charter school must prove to local or state governments that its students are learning. These governments【57】 the school with the agreement, or charter that permits it to operate. Unlike a traditional public school,【58】, the charter school does not have to obey most laws governing public schools. Local, state or federal governments cannot tell it what【59】. Each school can choose its own goals and decide the ways it wants to【60】 those goals. Class sizes usually are, smaller than in many traditional public schools. Many students and parents say【61】 in charter schools can be more creative. However, state education agencies, local education-governing committees and unions often【62】 charter schools. They say these schools may receive money badly【63】 by traditional public schools. Experts say some charter schools are doing well while others are struggling. Congress provided 200 million dollars for【64】 charter schools in the 2002 federal budget (预算). But, often the schools say they lack enough money for their【65】. Many also lack needed space. (51)