Charter schools are publicly financed schools that are governed by teachers, parents, administrators, or others who want to create and manage an innovative public school. This document briefly defines charter schools and provides an overview of their history. It also discusses the stance toward charter schools taken by President Clinton, who recognizes the benefits of developing public school-choice programs. Section 10301 of the new Improving America's Schools Act seeks to increase national understanding of the charter-schools model by providing financial assistance for the design and initial implementation of charter schools. Other federal funds, including Goals 2000 and School-to-Work, may be used by states and communities to support charter schools. The first grants to be awarded under the charter-schools startup grant program were awarded in March 1996. The document briefly describes 10 charter schools across the United States and offers tips on how to expand public-school choice and charter schools and how to improve individual public schools. A list of state contacts for charter schools is included. (LMI)