Pennsylvania charter school officials on Thursday released a Code of Accountability that promises transparency as they fight for equal-funding rights.

The code, which focuses on academic, ethical and financial accountability, was developed by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools in West Chester, which represents 120 of the state's 127 charter schools.

"Truth and accountability goes both ways," said Larry Jones, CEO of Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School in Philadelphia. "And we have the right to ask one simple question: Who decided that our students were worth only 70 percent of what other schools receive?"

Charter schools are public schools managed by parent, community or educational groups and given a charter to operate by school districts. They are not bound by many traditional mandates, which gives them more freedom in how they teach students. But that freedom comes at a price, as schools are not eligible to apply for any public grants.