What is a Charter School?
A charter school is a public school usually created or organized by a group of teachers, parents and community leaders, or a community-based organization. It is usually sponsored by an existing local public school board or county board of education. Specific goals and operating procedures for the charter school are detailed in an agreement (or “charter”). Charter schools are generally exempt from most laws that apply to regular public schools, so administrators have considerable autonomy in designing an educational program, hiring faculty and staff, using facilities, and developing a budget that meets the needs of their students. In exchange for this increased autonomy, charter schools are held much more strictly accountable than most noncharter public schools. Charter schools must meet all the student performance and operational goals listed in their charter, or their charter may be revoked.
The DC Public Charter School Board describes charter schools as “independently-operated public schools that are open to all District residents, regardless of their neighborhood, socioeconomic status, academic achievement, or ethnicity. There are no admission tests or tuition fees. Parents and students choose to attend a particular charter school because its unique focus, curriculum, structure, size, environment and other features meets the needs of those students.
A charter school allows parents the choice of a free, public education for their child. They are public schools whose operation is autonomous from the local school district and based on a contract with the State Board of Education. It is funded in much the same way other public schools are, but may be initiated and run by a group of parents, educators, and/or community members who define the school’s philosophy, curriculum, governance and fiscal practices under the guidelines of state and federal law. Charter schools typically focus on a special curriculum approach, a new school organization approach or some other feature that sets them apart from local district school offerings.
Written By Grace Chen Charter Schools. What are they? Charter schools fit in a niche between private and public schools. They are funded with public money (except for their facilities) and they are an alternative to regular public schools systems. A private group of people can submit and get approved a charter to run their own school. Charter schools receive waivers from public school districts in exchange for promising better academic results. Charters are usually given for 3-5 years, where an eye is kept on academic performance. If academic performance lags behind comparable public schools, then the “charter” is pulled and the school is closed.
