Charter Schools EDSC 310 - Group G: Craig Jones Rachel Hixson Bryan Klotzsche Jonathan Valdez Kristin Kreese

Charter Schools - Topics History/Background of Charter Schools Present Programs at Charter Schools Pros of Charter Schools Cons of Charter Schools Conclusion

History/Background of Charter Schools What is a Charter School? A nonsectarian public school of choice that operates with freedom from many of the traditional public school policies. The charter school practices more freedom because of its increased accountability to a state or local school board. What is a “Charter” A contract detailing the school’s mission, program, goals, and ways to measure their success Charters last for about 3-5 years and after the expiration the school decides whether or not to renew the contract.

Charter School Although different in many ways, the campuses of charter schools vs. public schools are very similar.

History/Background of Charter Schools The roots of charter schools The idea of the charter schools has had a lot of its inspiration from such concepts as: Alternative schools Magnet schools Privatization Many other alternative programs from the traditional public school programs

Ray Budde The term “charter is mainly credited to a New England educator named Ray Budde in the 1970’s who thought that groups of teachers should be given charters from the local school board to experiment with new teaching styles.

Albert Shanker Another educator responsible for the success of charter schools is Albert Shanker. Albert has been very involved in education and was a past president of the American Federation of Teachers.

History/Background of Charter Schools When did it start? Finally, in Philadelphia around the late 1980’s there started to develop schools-within-schools called charters. Minnesota participated and started charter schools with three basic values: Opportunity Choice Responsibility for results Passed into law In 1991, Minnesota passed a charter school law In 1992, California passed a charted school law Since 1994, the number of states passing the charter school law has increased from 19 to 42

History/Background of Charter Schools Charter schools of today In 2006, President bush asked for $219 million in grants to support the upbringing of 1,200 new and already existing charter schools Bush also asked for $37 million to help charter schools get the needed credit to lease, renovate, or buy school facilities Although charter schools are mainly funded by the state and its local area to help with operations, the charter schools do not receive funds for its facilities.

Charter Schools – Five Standards Current charter schools are held to five basic standards: Student academic achievement first Provide challenging curriculum and excellent resources Ethical leadership Leaders are exemplary stewards of the school’s mission Continuous focus on increasing quality Constant efforts to improve the quality of the school Responsible governance Leaders understand vision and carry vision out Fiscal Accountability Makes good use of it funds and keeps a record available to the public

Charter Schools – Present Programs Today, there are charter schools in 40 states as well as the District of Columbia. There are over 3,000 charter schools nationwide, with over 700,000 students attending these schools. Over 70% of charter schools are found in only seven states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Carolina These states are known to have the strongest laws to autonomy from labor laws and granting the necessary funding for charters

President Bush and Charter Schools Bush at Harlem charter school

Charter Schools – Present Programs Charter School Facility Grant Program: Passed in 2001 Gives charter school $750 per unit of average daily attendance Money goes toward building rent and lease cost Specific regulations: can cover no more than 75% of facility expenses; must be located in same area as public school with at least 70% of student population receiving reduced-price meals Charter School USA Helps develop, manage, and fund charter schools Incorporates the cooperation and help of businesses, government, and non-profits together to make charters stronger

Charter Schools - Local Current Charter Schools in OC Dana Point – Opportunities for Learning, 67 students Santa Ana – Albor Charter School, 388 students Nova Academy, 11 students Orange County High School of the Arts, 1297 students

Charter Schools - Pros Alternate Choice More of a selection It doesn’t cost the student to attend, unlike private schools Offers different opportunities to students who just don’t fit well into public schools More of a selection Charter schools are public schools, and can’t discriminate on enrollment, in some states you can enroll in a school that is out of the district boundaries Charter schools come in different flavors, meaning many have a specialty in certain disciplines.

Charter Schools - Pros Often a better type of schooling Are able to perform trial and error methods of teaching, allowing them to find better ways of teaching Still participate in state testing 70% of LA charter schools outperformed comparable district public schools on the API (Academic Performance Index) Why are charters better? More flexibility on curriculum, budget, and staffing Ability to make quick and effective changes to meet the student’s needs High level of accountability More open to innovation of new teaching styles

Charter Schools – Cons Unfair Advantage over Public Schools Flexibility to develop unique program in order to attract students. In contract, public schools are restricted in the range and type of programs they can offer. Likely to take the most talented public school students and their highly involved families, leaving public schools with students who may be difficult and expensive to educate Actively discourage the inclusion of low-achieving students May discriminate against minorities resulting in increased racial, ethnic, and social segregation.

Charter Schools – Cons The Case Against Charter Schools Lack safeguards for accountability found in traditional public schools Therefore, not competing on level playing field Some charter schools fall short of meeting broader educational standards of student performance Exempt from state requirements for licensing teachers Employ teachers and other staff who have little or no training in subject they teach Redirect funds away from traditional schools at a time when resources are stretched Other Drawbacks Because charter schools operate as a business, they are subject to market forces that may eventually force them to close. The emergence of education management organization as proprietors of their charter schools creates “pseudo-school districts” in which decisions are made far removed from the school

Work Cited History of Charter Schools: Charter Schools - Cons: 1. http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/3 2. http://www.myschool.org 3.http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/o/history.htm Charter Schools - Cons: 1. Metcalf, Kim K., Neil D. Theobald, and Gerardo Gonzalez. "State University Roles in The Charter School Movement." Phi Delta Kappan 84 (2003): 542-45. 2. "Charter Schools." Encyclopedia of School Psychology. Ed. Steven Lee. Thousand Oaks: Sage Reference, 2005. 3 pp. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. California State Univ. Fullerton. 9 Dec. 2008  3.http://www.ecs.org/html/issuesection.asp?issueid=20&s=pros+%26+cons

The End Thanks for listening.