Charter Schools are misunderstood. There are so many misconceptions about them and their effects on funding, admissions, and supports received. As a charter school leader, I want to answer some of the most important questions parents may have:
What are Charter Schools?
Charter Schools provide choice for educating our children. No two children learn the same way, and every family and community deserves high quality public education. Charter schools provide variety in educational approaches to instruction, leadership structures, enrichment activities, etc.. These innovative approaches may differ from traditional public schools that are slow to change or confined by bureaucratic restrictions.
Are Charter Schools Private or Public?
Charter Schools are public schools. They are free schools open to all students. They are subject to same laws as traditional public schools.
How are Charter Schools Funded?
Charter schools are publicly funded and open to all students. Like all public schools, they fundraise and receive donations to help support opportunities and growth. Charter schools never charge tuition or require donations and most are managed by non-profit organizations. Charters Schools cannot be run “for-profit” in California.
How are Charter Schools held accountable?
Charter Schools are first and foremost held accountable by the students and families that they serve. Families make the choice to be at a charter school and they can choose to leave the school if their needs are not being met. Thus, taking the student’s funding with them.
To ensure high standards are attained, Charter Schools are accountable to state and federal public education laws and have extensive annual reviews by their local charter authorizer. In California this is typically a local district or county school board.
Student achievement, as identified through national test scores (SBAC), is the most common point of accountability. Charter school’s financial outlook, educational programs, instructional practices, and school leadership are also extensively reviewed to ensure schools are operating effectively.
The charter authorizer can shutdown a charter school at anytime if expectations for meeting the needs of students and families are not met.
How many Charter Schools are in California?
1,275 Charter Schools serve approximately 630,000 students— about one tenth of the state’s K-12 population.
*EdSource (Fall 2017)
How do Charter Schools improve the California school system?
Charter schools offer more students the prospect for a great public education at schools that put their needs first. They provide choice and opportunity for all students to learn in innovative learning environments. Additionally, they challenge the traditional public schools to improve their practices in order to best serve their students.
Please take the time to learn more about your local Charter Public Schools. You may be surprised by the different approaches to instruction and leadership that are available to your student. Help be an advocate for choice and opportunity in education.
Let me know your questions… I would be happy to help spread the word about the opportunities for choice that we all have for our students.
