What is a Charter School, Anyway?

There are a lot of different types of schools out there these days – from public to private, Montessori to charter school. How do you tell the difference?

The Education Commission of the States provides a good definition of what makes charter schools different from other public schools:

“Charter schools are semi-autonomous public schools that receive public funds. They operate under a written contract with a state, district or other entity (referred to as an authorizer or sponsor). This contract — or charter — details how the school will be organized and managed, what students will be expected to achieve, and how success will be measured. Many charter schools are exempt from a variety of laws and regulations affecting other public schools if they continue to meet the terms of their charters.”

With that definition in mind, let’s break it down a bit more to look at specific areas.

Where Does the Name Come From?

Because charter schools are not regulated by the state education board, they come up with their own set of rules and standards to which they are held accountable. This list of rules and standards is called a charter – hence the name “charter school.”

What Makes Charter Schools Different from Public Schools?

Actually, charter schools are public schools – but they do not necessarily belong to school districts. Every charter school has their own set of rules and standards and they have a sponsor or organization who holds them accountable. While public schools are held accountable by their school district, charter schools may have contracts with a school district, the state, or even another entity.

State regulations on charter schools vary by state, so while this can be taken as a general summary of differences, more precise and accurate information will depend on where you live.

Let’s look at a few key areas.

Funding

Both charter and public schools receive a degree of state funding, but the basis on which that funding is decided varies. Charter schools are funded by the government based on how many students they have, but the majority of their funding comes from private entities. Public schools are entirely funded by the state government and local taxes, though they can also receive donations.

Government Regulation

Charter schools set their own standards via their charter, including how the school will be managed and expectations for students. While they do not necessarily follow state government standards, they are still held accountable for meeting their own. Traditional public schools must follow state laws and regulations and are held accountable by their school districts.

Teacher Certification

Public school teachers must be certified by the state. Charter school teachers may not have to be certified, though this varies by state. Regardless, teachers at any charter school will have to meet the standards set in that school’s charter.

Curriculum

In public schools, the curriculum is decided by the state education board and implemented by the school district. Charter school curriculum is flexible, since they often utilize more innovative teaching methods, but they are still held accountable to a performance contract.

Admission Policies

Both public and charter schools are free to attend. With public schools, there is no application process and no entrance exams. Charter schools also will not require an entrance exam, though some may ask for an application.

Why is There So Much Controversy Around Them Right Now?

Charter schools have not been around that long, there are still some problems with how best to regulate what they do. As more independent entities, charter schools hold more responsibility over themselves, which can be a positive or negative feature.

Mismanagement

One of the biggest issues many charter schools face is mismanagement. Properly running a charter school without direct guidance from a school district can be difficult. It takes understanding how to build and maintain a school budget, as well as effectively lead a team of teachers and administrators to ensure standards are met. When administrators lack management experience or proper leadership knowledge, they can hit some bumps in the road.

The Issue of Funding

The larger issue for many people is how they’re funded. Because charter schools receive a portion of state government funding, many people see that as money being taken away from public schools. Also, because charter schools can also gain funds from for-profit organizations, some people take issue with the close proximity of business to education.

Gain Education Leadership Skills with Taft

Avoid common charter school pitfalls by earning your Doctor of Education in Charter School Administration (EdD CSA) from Taft University. You come out of the program with fresh management skills and knowledge, from leadership to budgeting. If you’re looking into working in administration at a charter school – or even opening your own – you can learn from highly experienced charter school administrators at Taft.

Or if you want to keep your education more general, you can also look into Taft University’s other EdD concentrations, including Leadership & Management and Technology & Leadership.

Author: Megan Menendez

For more information about Taft University programs, visit our Academic Programs page.

To get started on your online degree with Taft, feel free to email Admissions@Taft.edu or call us at 303-867-1155.