Charter schools
From WikEd
[edit] Descriptions, definitions, synonyms, organizer terms, types of
Charter school: A public school operated independently of the local school board, often with a curriculum and educational philosophy different from the other schools in the system. (American Heritage Dictionary)
Teachers in charter schools do not have to be certified. In Illinois they must have a bachelor’s degree and 5 years experience in the area of their degree. They must then demonstrate continuing evidence of professional growth, and have a passing score on state teacher tests.
[edit] Application in classrooms and similar settings
Goals
Increase opportunities for learning and access to quality education for all students
Create choice for parents and students within the public school system
Provide a system of accountability for results in public education
Encourage innovative teaching practices
Create new professional opportunities for teachers
Encourage community and parent involvement in public education
Leverage improved public education broadly
(http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/o/index.htm)
[edit] Evidence of effectiveness
Research has produced mixed results about the effectivness of charter schools. From as early as 1996, several research efforts showed that charter schools were not necessarily showing higher acheivement scores than their public school counterparts, but did show higher parent satissfaction. Research as recently as 2003 shows that many charter schools are indeed outperforming their public school counterparts. This seems to be the case the longer a student remains in a charter school. http://www.edreform.com/_upload/research.pdf
[edit] Critics and their rationale
In a recent article, Chris and Sarah Lubienski, professors in our very own College of Ed (UIUC), study the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) data for traditional public and private or charter schools. NAEP administers tests and aggregates GIGANTIC amounts of data regarding those tests. They are administered to 4th, 8th, and 12th graders from around the country.
One argument for private schools has long been that private schools scores are considerably higher than public schools. However, what these professors did is examine the data by socioeconomic class. They found when looking at the data in that context that students of equivelant socioeconomic class were actually doing better on these tests in the public school.
Article Link
One caveat is that public and private schools were what was being examined, but there are many similar arguments surrounding charter schools (which could be either public or private). In fact, there have been some books written regarding the ways in which charter schools actually serve fewer students from low income backgrounds (eg they may have minorities, but they have the richer minority students), and yet those students do about the same. So though they have students who in the public schools would be scoring near the top, those same students in the charter school are just doing average. Because the charter school has more of those students, though, and very few of the poorer ones, the overall percentages look quite appealing.
Another interesting factor to think about is the ways in which the selectivity of a charter school might increase motivation for students. In general, I believe it is human nature to put more effort into something when you recognize it is a special privelige. I don't know how this would affect students, but I could see that being a positive aspect of charter schools.
[edit] Alternative explanations due to Diversity considerations
[edit] Signed, life experiences, testimonies and stories
Most of what I have heard about charter schools is negative. I hear about the limitations and lack of accountability in addition to the concerns represented below. However, the only real experience I have with such schools is from volunteering at a charter school that was absolutely amazing. The teachers were not hindered by too much testing, paperwork, or red tape and were able and committed to really doing what was best for the student. This was actually a public charter school, whatever that really means. I was really impressed! Perhaps it's just as hit or miss as public schools. -Rebecca Hix Foley
The biggest problem that I see with charter schools in the current state is that they are basically like parochial schools and montesori schools in the fact that teachers may not need to be certified. Unfortunately, charter schools a run like businesses, saving costs at every corner. There are other problems that a charter school can't solve in public schools, and these problems will just concentrate in lower class public schools. -W.Rank
I think charter schools have done a lot of good for our educational system. I would love to open one. Anyone interested? --V. Munds elementary/middle school teacher 10 years
I don't see, especially given the current research, how charter schools have done that much good. They run the risk of over-specializing the secondary and younger grades, and of catering to those who have enough savvy to manipulate the system. We need to be careful of endorsing programs that shift our focus away from the real problems in the educational system. I fear that charter schools are just that. G. Johnson
I am currently teaching in a charter school. The experience is quite different that when I taught in a traditional "public" school setting. The teacher have more control on policy and issues related to education. Also with the smaller setting, it gives you a better chance to deal with students who has signficantly under-achieved-----C.Graham
I believe that one of the main ongiong frustrations of many teachers, of all levels, is the way that the public school system necessarily restricts teacher freedom and creativity in all sorts of ways -- what is in the curriculum, experiences given, how much attention can be given to any one student, etc. Teachers who truly care about their students live their professional lives with a great amount of anxiety regarding the ways their desires to serve students are limited. I think this anxiety has given rise to many alternative school movements (charter school, home schooling, etc.). The history of schooling is one of special interest groups requesting special accommodations for their unique perspectives, and, to some extent, I think forcing everyone into the same mold denies people's rights to be (and allow their children to be) individuals, investing in their own unique strengths and interests. While all charter schools may not necessarily yield higher scores (although there certainly are some which are...again, they are limited by the quality of teachers they have!), the trend towards alternative schooling experiences is one I think we will continue to see, and I hope that as educators we can respect each individual family (and teacher's!) decision about the type of school with which they desire to be involved. -- E. Cox
In the day and age of NCLB, I definitely feel restricted and quite frustrated with the demands placed on public schools. I have just finished my second year of teaching and I am sad to say that I may not be an educator until I reach retirement age. While I love to teach, I have found that teaching has turned into statistics, scores, quotas, etc. Gone are the days of genuine learning and enter test preparation from September until March. ~S. Ward
A friend of mine works at a charter school, so I called to find out her stance on charter schools vs. regular public schools. I was a little jealous when I heard her answers. There were so many pros! This charter school is totally student centered. As part of registration, the teachers make visits to each home. They sit down with the parents and develop a Professional Learning Plan (PLP). The parents, student and teacher sit down and plan out the goals for the student. I am a firm believer in parent involvement and student ownership leading to academic success. The smaller class sizes and the staff working in learning teams really allows for differentiation. There are many staff development and team building activities that allow the learning teams to work to the best of their ability. All of these pros lead me to believe that they are on to something great!
As an aside, I understand the other side of the coin regarding over-specializing education. It is not reflective of what the real world is like. Bosses don’t typically change their practices to fit the needs of their diverse employees. However, if we really take the time to individualize education to the best of our abilities maybe the students will have the skills necessary to be successful in the real world. ~ V. Amen
[edit] References and other links of interest
Chicago Public School Charter Website
Lubienski, S.T. and Lubienski, C. (2005). A New Look at Public and Private Schools: Student Background and Mathematics Achievement. Phi Delta Kappan, pp. 696-699.
National Association of Independent Schools link [1]
