How Do Charter Schools Work?
Although charter schools share some similarities with traditional public schools and private schools, they operate differently from both kinds of institutions. It is vital to understand how charter schools work to determine if one is the best option for your child. Learn how charter schools function from Oregon Charter Academy.
What is a Charter School?
As with public schools, charter schools are tuition-free institutions that follow local, federal, and state regulations regarding education, health, and safety. However, they differ from public schools because they can design a unique curriculum with specific learning objectives. This approach gives charter schools more operational and management freedom than conventional public schools.
While charter schools have more freedom with operations and management, they are accountable to an authorizing organization. Authorizers can be a local common school district, state university, community college, or the state Board of Education. These groups supervise performance, finances, and structure to establish if a charter school meets its goals. If a charter school does not fulfill the objectives outlined in its contract, the authorizer can shut it down.
Cities are the most common location for charter schools, but they also exist in rural and suburban communities. Additionally, some charter schools are created to help students achieve a specific goal, such as a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or the arts.
How Do Charter Schools Receive Funding?
As mentioned, charter schools do not charge tuition. Instead, they pay for most expenses using public funds. Government bodies base funding amounts on the number of students enrolled at the charter school. Since public resources typically do not cover facilities, many charter schools raise additional funds to pay for remaining expenses. They also may obtain support from the federal government through grants and programs, such as Title I and Special Education.
The Process for Establishing a Charter School
While every charter school is different, most follow the same progression moving from development to operations. The five primary steps for creating a charter school include:
Planning
Charter schools begin when an individual or organization believes the public school system is not fulfilling a specific educational need. Before this person or group can form the charter school, they need to ensure their state allows them. Furthermore, they must ensure state capacity limits permit the creation of a charter. After receiving permission, the individual or group finds a location, sets a budget, searches for funding sources, writes the application, and establishes a mission for the school.
Authorization
Once the prospective operator finishes crafting plans for the charter school, they submit their design to the authorizing body for approval. In some cases, a letter of intent also may be required. The type of organizations that serve as authorizers differs depending on the laws in each state.
Preparation
If the authorizer approves the plan, the operator can get ready for the opening. This step can include hiring staff, determining transportation, designing curriculum, and drafting discipline policies. Like the first step, this stage also includes locating facilities. However, it goes beyond the building itself and includes desks, chairs, and textbooks.
Admissions and Operations
Once all structural components are in place, the charter school can focus on enrollment and operations. Since charter schools act as an alternative to public schools, students must apply for admittance. However, charters cannot deny enrollment to students like a private school may do. The main reason a charter school will refuse students is if it reaches capacity. In this case, the school will enter applicants in a lottery and select students at random. Once the charter school has an appropriately sized student body, it can start operations.
Maintenance
Once the charter school is running, the operators can concentrate on success. Typically, authorizers will review charter school performance every few years, making it vital for administrators to monitor their operations to detect areas for improvement. To maintain a good reputation, charter schools should address issues parents have.
Why Do Parents Choose Charter Schools?
The flexibility of charter schools enables them to better respond to the unique educational needs of students. For instance, some charter schools teach their curriculum in multiple languages, and others offer extended school days. Moreover, charters allow parents to play an active role in their child’s instruction. These institutions give parents more oversight when their children struggle with a concept or have trouble adjusting in class.
Attain Virtual Charter School Education for Your Child
If you wish to send your child to a charter school, consider enrolling them in the virtual program at Oregon Charter Academy. Our tuition-free, online learning program prepares students for college and careers in the modern world through innovative technology and cutting-edge teaching techniques. Our dedicated teaching staff follows a curated curriculum to help students build communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity skills. Contact us today to learn more about our future-focused program.