The Colorado Board of Education today will hear the third appeal from Sterling parents who have been trying to open a charter school since 2005.

The parents say they meet the criteria to open a charter school under the state's charter school law. But local school officials say the Sterling district already offers a variety of choices.

The dispute illustrates the divisions over charter schools 14 years after passage of the state law authorizing them.

Also before the board today is adoption of rules for a program that allows students to earn college credit while still in high school.