Study: Ga. charter schools struggling financially

ATLANTA - A new study shows that nearly half of the charter schools started by independent organizations in Georgia could be in financial trouble.

The report reviewing the fiscal health of the charter schools in the state was released Tuesday by Georgia State University. It found that money problems have led a handful of charter schools to close in the last few years, but more could shut down if the schools don't find a way to operate in the black.

The report looks at 25 charter schools that were open in 2006 and 2007, the most recent financial data available. The schools operate independently of local districts and the state, but receive taxpayer dollars. The schools are given the autonomy to be innovative and are exempt from most educational mandates, such as class size.