Are Charter Schools the Key to Education Reform?

The documentary film, Waiting for Superman, has exposed some of the problems with America's current public education system. The film follows families in urban areas throughout the country, as they attempt to enroll their children in charter schools. However, the downfall is that these high-performing charter schools have limited openings, and therefore, wait lists. Now, unless you are in the education profession, you are probably not very familiar with the charter school movement. Since I am currently in my second year teaching at a charter school, I will tell you all about charter schools: what they are and whether or not they are the key to fixing America's education system.

What is a charter school?

Charter schools are public, not for profit schools. They are entitled to state and federal funding just like public districts, however, they are free from some rules and regulations. Additionally, each charter school may receive private donations, especially through a sponsor. The sponsor evaluates the school's performance on a yearly (or more frequently) basis and determines whether or not it will receive more funding for the next school year.

Charter schools exist as an alternative to the traditional urban neighborhood school. In many of our nation's biggest cities, the public schools are failing. Concerned parents opt to enroll their children in charter schools in order to give them a better education.

The pros of charter schools

Charter schools have some great features, making it obvious why parents pick them. For instance, the charter school at which I work, managed by the Concept Schools organization, offers a longer school day and Saturday school for those who need additional support. We also offer before-school care and breakfast, afterschool tutoring, and a variety of clubs. All of these features are free to all students, regardless of income. We also go on several educational field trips throughout the year. Our class sizes are capped at 20, which allow the teachers to give individual attention quite frequently. One of my classes last year had only 8 students! The parent-teacher-student relationships at charter schools can be very strong due to the small class sizes and many opportunities for communication.

Another plus is that charter schools can offer a private school feel. My students feel very safe and comfortable in their learning environment. The students wear uniforms, and they also have a strict discipline program which they must follow or they face detentions, suspensions, and expulsion. Charter schools can definitely outperform the public schools. Horizon Science Academy High School in Columbus, OH, received the Excellent with Distinction rating from the Ohio Department of Education for the 2009-10 school year.

Additionally, most charter schools do not have unions. This is a double-edged sword, depending on whether you are the teacher, student, parent, or administrator. However, the way I see it is this: since we charter school teachers do not have a union, our jobs are based solely on our performance. I know I am constantly making sure I am doing the best job I can, because I know I may not be rehired. We work on one-year contracts too. I believe charter school teachers go above and beyond. We must be dedicated because we have many responsibilities, which leads me to...

The cons of charter schools

Since charter schools do not receive the same amount of funds as public schools, there are some sacrifices that the staff members must make. In layman's terms, we wear many hats. In addition to teaching, our contracts require us to help at breakfast, lunch, recess, and after school duty. Each staff member must also advise at least one club. As a teacher, I often feel worn out. We do not have the same support system as many public school districts.

However, you know that your child's charter school teachers are dedicated, because we sign our contracts knowing all the things for which we are responsible. We also work for a significantly lower salary. For instance, in my first year in the teaching profession, in a Columbus, OH charter school, I earned $28,000. One of the employees at Clearview Schools in Lorain, OH, made $33,500 in her first year. This difference is the main reason why teacher retention at charter schools is extremely low. We are overworked and underpaid.

Additionally, not all charter schools are high-performing. The charter schools mentioned in Waiting for Superman all seemed fantastic; if only this was the case 100% of the time. The KIPP network of charter schools is praised in the film as a leader in closing the achievement gap. But the KIPP Journey Academy in Columbus, OH, had been scrutinized for not performing as well as anticipated. The founding principal resigned within 4 months of the 2008-09 school year.

The Bottom Line

I think that charter schools are a great alternative to the failing public system. But like all schools, some are better than others. Do your research, ask for a tour of the school, interview parents, and meet with the teachers so you can learn if a charter school is a good fit for your family. Charter schools may not be the answer to education reform, but they can be a great asset.