Getting to Know Charter Schools
By Michele Blandino
Charter schools are a relatively new concept – the first state to pass charter school legislation was Minnesota in 1991 – yet they are quickly making their presence felt all across the country. Today, 41 states have enacted laws to allow charter schools to operate with approximately 700,000 children enrolled in nearly 3,000 schools nationwide.
How Does it Work?
Simply put, a charter school is a public school of choice. This means there is no formal application process (although schools with more applicants than space typically turn to the lottery system to determine who can enroll) and no tuition. Charter schools are typically developed by parents, teachers or community leaders who are looking for more autonomy in deciding what to teach and how to teach it. Before a charter school can begin operation, its administrators must develop a mission, or charter, which is essentially a performance contract that details the school’s mission, goals, methods of assessment and the measures that will be used to monitor student achievement. In exchange, charter schools have more flexibility than traditional public schools in developing and delivering the chosen curriculum.
Charter schools receive funds from the public school district in which they operate based on the number of students enrolled. Per student funding varies from state to state; some states fund charter schools at 100% of the public school per student costs while others fund at a rate less than 100%. Further, some states have loan and grant programs specifically for charter schools and there are federal programs that can assist with start-up costs.
Charters are typically granted for three to five year periods. During that period, the school’s administrators must consistently demonstrate that the school’s charter is being met and that the funds they receive from the public school system are being properly allocated. Failure to provide measurable success in meeting the school’s objectives can (and usually does) result in the charter being revoked.
What’s the Attraction?
Charter schools are developed for a variety of reasons. Some schools are started because the founders want a more family-centered approach to learning. Others fully integrate technology into the curriculum while still others infuse world languages or the fine arts into the daily lessons. That said, when investigating charter schools, its important to remember that the curriculum and teaching methods can vary widely from school to school.
Many parents are attracted to the charter school’s smaller class sizes and community feel. Others turn to charter schools because they feel the school’s educational philosophies better suit them while still others find appeal in a particular school’s curriculum or teaching methods.
Unlike their public counterparts, charter schools frequently solicit the input of parents and other stakeholders in developing and implementing school policy and in making key decisions. As a result, there tends to be a higher degree of satisfaction among families with children enrolled in charter schools.
How to Decide
Whatever your reason for considering a charter school education, it’s important to take the time to thoroughly research the available options. Keeping in mind that charter schools have a stronger presence in some states (there are over 600 schools currently operating in Arizona, but only a handful in some other states) your options will be limited by the number of charter schools operating in your area.
The first step is to evaluate your reasons for considering a charter school education. Identify the reasons for your dissatisfaction with your child’s current educational environment and then look for a school where those needs can be met. Once you’ve narrowed down the list of options, visit each school, meet with the administrators and spend some time in the classrooms. Finally, talk to the parents of children currently enrolled in the school - they are usually the best source of information.