Utah Code § 53G-5-104: Purpose of charter schools -- Charter schools are public schools.

(1) The purposes of the state's charter schools are to enhance school choice, meet the unique needs of Utah families, and encourage innovation within the public education system by:

(a) continuing to improve student learning;

(b) encouraging the use of different and innovative teaching methods;

(c) creating new professional opportunities for educators that allow educators to actively participate in designing and implementing learning programs at the school;

(d) increasing choice of learning opportunities for students;

(e) establishing new educational models and new forms of accountability that emphasize unique performance measures and innovative measurement tools to measure education outcomes;

(f) providing opportunities for greater parental involvement in governance decisions at the school level;

(g) expanding public school choice in areas where there is a lack of school choice or where schools have been identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring; and

(h) collaborating within the public education system.

(2) As described in Section 53G-5-401, a charter school is a public school for all purposes under Utah law, including:

(a) the Legislature's authority under Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3, to designate schools and educational programs, including charter schools, as part of the public education system;

(b) eligibility for public funding and resources;

(c) access to public facilities and property;

(d) participation in public school programs and initiatives; and

(e) application of laws governing an LEA.