II. 完形填空（共15题，每小题2分，共30分）
American public education has changed in recent years. One change is that increasing numbers of American parents and teachers are starting independent public school   11   charter schools (特许学校).
In 1991, there were no charter schools in the United States. Today, more than2,300 charter schools    12    in 34 states and the District of Columbia. 575,000 students   13   these schools. The students are from 5 years of age through 18 or older.
A charter school is   14   by groups of parents, teachers and community (社区) members, It is similar in some ways    15   a traditional public school. It receives tax money to operate just as other public schools do. The    16   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   17    the school with the agreement, or charter that permits it to operate.
Unlike a traditional public school,    18    the charter school does not have to obey most laws which govern public schools. Local, state or federal governments cannot tell it what to  19  .
Each school can choose its own goals and decide the ways it wants to  20  those goals. Class sizes usually are smaller than those in many traditional public schools. Many students and parents say   21   in charter schools may be more creative.
However, state education agencies, local education-governing committees and unions are often    22    charter schools. They say these schools may receive money badly   23   by traditional public schools. Experts say some charter schools are doing well while others are struggling.
Congress provided 200million dollars for  24   charter schools in the 2002 federal budget (预算). But often the schools say they lack enough money for their    25   .Many also lack needed space.
11. A. called       B. asked        C. known        D. said
12. A. study       B. organize      C. operate        D. perform
13. A. finish       B. attend        C. leave         D. cut
14. A. taught       B. held         C. created        D. understood
15. A. to          B. with          C. by           D. in
16. A. attention     B. amount      C. expense       D. information
17. A. buy         B. review       C. give          D. provide
18. A. besides      B. moreover     C. thus          D. however
19. A. teach        B. discuss       C. have         D. get
20. A. set          B. reach        C. settle         D. define
21. A. farmers      B. workers      C. teachers       D. soldier
22. A. against       B. for          C. in            D. with
23. A. treated       B. needed       C. earned        D. wasted
24. A. needing      B. spending     C. comparing     D. establishing
25. A. programs     B. parents       C. records       D. words