FAQ

			FAQ

Are "Charter Schools" and "Community Schools" the same thing?

Yes. The term Charter school and Community school are interchangeable Across the country these public, tuition-free schools are known as charter schools. In Ohio, we refer to them as community schools, either way, they are one in the same.

What are Charter Schools?

Charter schools or community schools are independent public schools, designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs and others. They are sponsored by designated local or state educational organizations who monitor their quality and integrity, but allow them to operate without the traditional bureaucratic and regulatory red tape of public schools. Charter schools design and deliver programs tailored to educational excellence and community needs. Because they are schools of choice, they are held to the highest level of accountability – consumer demand.

How Do Charter Schools Differ From Traditional District Public Schools?

Charter schools operate from 3 basic principles:

	Accountability: Charter schools are held accountable for how well they educate children in a safe and responsible environment, as well as compliance with state regulations. They are evaluated on how well they meet the student achievement goals established by their charter, and how well they manage the fiscal and operational responsibilities entrusted to them. Charter schools must and do operate lawfully and responsibly, with the highest regard for equity and excellence. If they fail to deliver, unlike their traditional public school counterparts they are closed.
	Choice: Parents, teachers, community groups, organizations, or individuals interested in creating a better educational opportunity for children can start charter schools. Local school boards, colleges and universities, and other community agencies interested in fostering innovation and excellence in schools sponsor them. Students choose to attend, and teachers choose to teach at charter schools. Charter schools are truly the one for of public education in which you can hire to the mission of the school.
	Autonomy: Charter schools are freed from the traditional bureaucracy and regulations that divert a school's energy and resources toward bureaucracy rather than educational excellence. Instead of jumping through procedural hoops and over paperwork hurdles, educators can focus on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.

Why Are Charter Schools So Popular?

Charters provide choice and an opportunity for better child-centered education. They provide the chance for communities to create the greatest range of educational choices for their children. Operators have the opportunity and the incentive to create schools that provide new and better services for students. And charters, bound only by the high standards they have set for themselves, inspire the rest of the educational system to work harder and be more responsive to the needs of the children.

How Are Charter Schools Funded?

Charter schools are public schools (tuition-free). When a child leaves a traditional public school for a charter school the money follows that child.

Do Charter Schools Work?

Yes. In addition to the positive pressure they put on the public school system as a whole, charter schools satisfy and serve their primary constituents (teachers, parents, and students) by providing exciting and viable new education in an inclusive, individual manner.

Charter schools are havens for children who had bad educational experiences elsewhere. They may need a more individualized approach to education.

Want More Information?

For more information about Charter Schools visit these excellent web sites:

National Charter School Alliance

US Charter Schools

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