A major alternative in school choice is the concept of charter schools: public schools delivering public education and using public dollars, but organized by individuals or groups, not school boards, and operating legally as private, nonprofit organizations or cooperatives. This paper explores the charter school as another option in the search for choice. The development of the charter school concept for American schools is outlined. A definition of charter school distinguishes it from a regular school in a number of ways including its purpose, who organizes it, its accountability, and its funding. A discussion of current models of charter schools looks at design and implementation issues. The document deals briefly with the Minnesota experience, policy concerns, charter schools legislation in 10 other states (including 4 far western states), and local and federal responses to charter schools. British grant-maintained (GM) schools are outlined, and their differences with charter schools are explained. The politics of GM schools and the effects they have on British education are also described. (Contains 25 references.) (RR)