Is a Charter School the Right Choice for Your Child and Family?

It's not difficult to get caught up in a discussion lamenting the general sorrowful state and controversies of the public education system; the issues are a virtual bouquet: low teacher salaries, a grave lack of funding, the voucher and 'no child left behind' debates, crappy PE, arts and lunch programs, and dozens of others.
There is a movement within the public education system gaining some power, however. You may have heard the term, or have a vague familiarity with the "charter school." I am consistenly amazed in the amount of people, even with school aged children, who have never heard of charter schools, or have huge misconceptions about them and their dynamics and functioning.

The charter school movement has long roots, but officially began in the 1990's, with state-by-state legislation. There are now nearly 4,000 charter schools in 40 states. A charter school is a self-contained, independent public school. Charter schools are usually started by likeminded groups of teachers, educators, parents, and other interested parties, sharing specific educational philosophies, which may not fit into or be a part of a traditional public school paradigm.

Charter schools may have an area of academic focus, or an educational or civic-minded theme: arts, science, technology, mathematics, medical studies, performing arts, college prep, and many others are examples. In Salt Lake City, there is even a quite successful charter school for high school students called East Hollywood High that focuses on film studies. Of course, being a public school, there is a standard, sound curriculum that must be followed.

Although the process is complex, a brief summation is that charter schools are given autonomy in exchange for accountability. If the school can show sustained results in areas of parent and teacher satisfaction, economic survival, and most importantly, academic student success, the school is given less bureaucratic hinderance and interference. This accountability creates a positive, dynamic chain that is exclusive to charter schools. Because charter schools must vie to retain their status and to receive necessary, further autonomy and benefits, it creates a sense of challenge and competition that is absent from other types of existing educational systems. In theory, the school can progress unencumbered and focus on things that matter instead of being bound by archaic, dysfunctional, or outdated ways, while retaining a high standard of success.

It is a real possibility that the charter school system could be the model of education reform that illicits authentic, lasting change in the current, problemtic mainstream public educational program. It can be viewed, albeit rather simplisticly, as a 'supply and demand' system. If charter schools work, and they seem to be, more and more families will seek them out, creating fertile ground for new schools, which in turn, forces traditional schools to revamp their less appealing offerings. As it stands now, traditional public schools do not need to vie for students. This creates a sense of stagnancy and complacency that is not the best environment for the student or educator populations within.

What are some of the reasons a family would choose a charter school over a traditional public school, or even a private school? I have some personal experience. My 13 year old son has attended alternative public school programs and charter schools since kindergarten. For one, because of its public status, there is no tuition. Not only is this a huge benefit for families struggling financially, it bypasses the dynamics of elitism and homogenized, one dimensional class systems that may be in play at private schools. It's my experience that there is a diverse, demographic, multi-cultural representation of students.

Charter schools also tend to attract progressive, enthusiastic, and resourceful teachers, educators, and families, and many times, because of their area of focus, or general innovations, attract partnerships or sponsorship with community programs, businesses, events, interesting people and professionals, and even celebrities. In general, charter schools can afford students many unique opportunities due to their innate community connections and smaller size.

Over the years, within his charter school education, my son has had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and practice with Cirque Eloize, act with Michael York, play Quidditch, attend innumerable plays, symphonies, and concerts, and has even had a waterfight with firefighters (yes, they used their hoses!) Some of the classes he has taken, and that have been offered: the art of math, gaming strategies, rock band, yoga, urban development, chess, and food science. It's been my experience that classes are geared toward and engage real kids, while keeping it academic and challenging.

Of course, there are some drawbacks that must be considered and weighed against the many benefits that charter schools offer. Although some of the issues may seem trivial, they may be found to be quite problematic in practice.

Because the charter school movement is rapidly growing, many of these schools are fairly new. As with any new enterprise, there will be a great settling and adjustment period. One problem may be the location. Although my son's old middle school has now purchased a great building, they previously were in a different, temporary location each year of operation. The locations were far from ideal, and each had its problems. The issues and seeming instability was difficult for a lot of familes. The locations were churches, office buildings, and a former library. The spaces were not traditional classrooms, and finding greenspace, parking, etc., was not easy. There were no school zones or designated crosswalks for the children, and this created some safety concerns.

Even after a school finally finds a permanent location, there may still be political and financial issues with crosswalks, crossing guards, and the like. If your children will be walking to school, this is a huge consideration. In general, charter schools are physically unlike traditional public schools, and this should be taken into consideration when deciding if it is right for your family.

Because charter schools grow from likeminded individuals, they may reflect a local flavor or philosophy that is not for everyone. This may not be something so tangible, either, and may not be aptly described. Many schools have newsletters, parent discussion boards, and it is a good idea to read everything available before deciding if it is a fit for your family. Charter schools also usually hold regular open houses, and other enrollment incentive activities, and it is wise to take part in as many as possible before making your decision. There is usually a strong sense of community in schools like this, and this will be a good time to determine if you feel comfortable and have an affinity with this particular group. Don't dismiss the sense of community going on in charter schools. It is my experience that it is a huge creative and integral force within the makeup of the school as a whole.

Although charter schools are funded by the public state education system, they may not have a lot of the programs the traditional schools take for granted. They may not have school bus transportation, lunch programs, or homework programs that the other schools have. Although this sounds dire, it is my experience that many positive things form in response. Many families organize carpools, and form groups of kids who walk or skateboard and scooter to school together, take responsibility for one another, and form friendships and alliances that otherwise would not be present. Student stores and food committees make and sell burritos, sushi and the like, for the kids to purchase at lunchtime, with proceeds going right back to the school. Some schools have offered gardening classes, and have vegetable gardens, growing their own produce for meals at lunchtime. Essentially, the teachers and kids learn to address shortcomings and problems, take responsibility, and find solutions.

Charter schools can provide a rewarding, alternative, and authentic educational experience, that is not without its challenges. There are many online resources available to explore your area's charter school information and offerings. The US Charter Schools website

http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/index.htm is easy to navigate, and offers general information, and has state by state listings and information.