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Public Charter Schools Ten things you should know about charter schools: Charter Schools are Public Schools. · There are more than 140 charter schools operating in Colorado in 2007-08, serving more than 56,000 students. · Charter schools in Colorado are funded in the Public School Finance Act, along with all other public schools. · Charter schools are subject to all state and federal provisions prohibiting discrimination and must enroll students in a nondiscriminatory manner. They cannot and do not “hand pick” students. · Charter schools are accountable to the public and to the Colorado Department of Education for students’ learning, just like all other public schools. Students in charter schools take the same state-mandated standardized tests based on the same state content standards, including CSAP, just like all other public schools in Colorado. · Charter schools are subject to federal education regulations, including No Child Left Behind School Accountability Reports and Adequate Yearly Progress. · All teachers who work in charter schools must be “highly qualified”, as defined by federal regulations, and must pass national, state and local background checks. Charter Schools are Open to ALL students. They are: · Free. · Public, nonsectarian, nonreligious, non-home-based schools. · Non-selective in enrollment. There are no admissions tests or admissions requirements. · Often designed to serve under-served populations. · Appealing to students whose needs are not being met well by traditional schools. · Frequently over-enrolled; that is, more students apply to charter schools than the schools can accommodate. In these cases, a lottery determines admission. Charter Schools are Pioneers and Innovators. · Charters allow creative parents, teachers, and educational leaders to design schools that better serve particular populations. · Charters can limit class size and school size. Charter designers often heed to research that demonstrates that small schools are generally safer and better able to nurture a learning community than are large schools. · Charters select their own curriculum. They can establish achievement-oriented cultures and choose staff to best support these structures. · Charter schools are mission-driven schools created by educators who envision a school committed to a particular purpose and philosophy. · The tenor of relationships between charter schools and their school districts varies widely. Colorado’s Charter School Act aims to foster educational innovation and flexibility and public school choices for Colorado families, while holding those charter schools accountable for fulfilling their missions. Charter Schools appeal to teachers. · Charter schools liberate the energy, creative, and expertise of innovative teachers – new and experienced. · Charter schools facilitate professional relationships and support teachers growth, because they are often started by experienced educators looking for better ways to meet students’ needs. Charter Schools meet parents’ hopes and needs by providing educational CHOICE. · A 2003 survey of Colorado voters found that Coloradoans overwhelmingly support public school choice (83%). · The demand for charter schools continues to grow. This year, more than 25,000 students in Colorado are on waiting lists to enroll in charter schools. · More than 90% of charter schools administer parent satisfaction surveys and interview parents specifically about their satisfaction with the school every year. · Colorado charter schools serve increasing percentages of minority students, at-risk students, and students qualifying for free and reduced lunch programs – providing public school choices for all families. Charter Schools play an important part in public school reform. · Charter schools exist to provide educational opportunities not previously available, not because they are mandated to exist. · Charters work through a unique trade-off of “autonomy” for “accountability”. Charters have more autonomy to create curriculum, hire and support teachers, and design school structures than do district-run schools in exchange for improved student performance and financial management. · Charters are building new models of community and parent involvement because, as schools of choice, they value satisfied customers. · By experimenting with new measures of student achievement, charters encourage school districts to look beyond standardized test scores as measures of student growth and success. · As charter schools become part of their communities, they demonstrate and share strong educational practices with other schools. Charter Schools work. · Charter schools typically have a higher degree of parental involvement, smaller total enrollment, and smaller class sizes than comparable non-charter public schools. Each of these factors correlates highly with student success. · Colorado charter school students outperform other public schools on the CSAP in 4th and 8th grade tests, and charter schools have raised student achievement scores better than non-charter schools. · Most charter schools are succeeding in their missions. When they fail, they are closed – not unlike a business that does not meet its customers’ needs. Charter Schools provide more learning per tax dollar than do district-run schools. · Charter schools receive per pupil revenues (PPR) on the same basis as other public schools enrolled in district-run schools. · However, districts may retain up to 5% of the charter schools students’ PPR for actual administrative costs. Charter schools finance their own facilities and operations, and often purchase additional services like transportation, meal preparation, Special Education services, out of the PPR they receive, unlike district-run schools. · For example, in 2001-02, the statewide average revenue received by public schools per pupil was $9,127. The average revenue received by charter schools was less than $6,500 per pupil. Charters remain economically disadvantaged compared to district-managed public schools. Charter Schools are not vouchers for private schools. · Charter schools are schools of choice that are publicly funded and not affiliated with religious institutions. · Vouchers are government-issued certificates for parents to redeem for a private school education for their children. · Charter schools are subject to the same safety regulations, civil rights regulations, standardized testing, and financially accountable as are all public schools. · Unlike some private schools, charter schools are open to enrollment of any and all students. · Colorado’s charter school law prohibits the conversion of private schools to charter schools. Charter Schools are operated by an exciting and diverse array of nonprofit groups nationwide. · Colorado’s law permits any group or person to petition to start a charter school. Charters in Colorado have been launched by groups of teachers, parents, community activists – all of whom are motivated to create successful learning environments for children and youth. · Nationally, cultural institutions, educational foundations, and community development corporations have also created charter schools. For more information about charter schools in Colorado, visit www.coloradoleague.org. |
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