Transcript Document

Charter Schools &
For-Profit Schools
King and Queens of Collaboration
What are Charter Schools?
• Nonsectarian public schools of choice
• Accountable to their sponsor
– Usually state or local school board
• Increased autonomy in return for accountability
for both academic results and fiscal practices
• Accountable to:
– Sponsors that grants them
– Parents who choose them
– Public that funds them
What about Charter Schools?
• Intention of most charter school legislation is to:
– Increase opportunities for learning and access to
quality education for all students
– Create choice for parents and students within the
public school system
– Provide a system of accountability for results in
public education
– Encourage innovative teaching practices
– Create new professional opportunities for teachers
– Encourage community and parent involvement in
public education
Who Runs Charter Schools?
• Independent boards
– Educators
– Community members
– Parents
• Board controls
– Funds & Staff
– Responsible for making sure charter goals and NYS
Regents standards are met.
Who starts a Charter School?
• People do (Usually founders fall into 3 groups)
–
–
–
–
Grassroots organization of parents
Teachers and community members
Entrepreneurs
Existing schools converted to charter
• Reasons for establishing a charter school:
– Realize an educational vision
– Gain autonomy
– Serve a special population
Who Attends Charter Schools?
• Part of the public education system
– Not allowed to charge tuition
– Any student may attend a Charter school
• Enrollment is oversubscribed
– Lottery-based admissions
When and Where did
Charter school begin?
• Late 1980’s Philadelphia
– Started schools-within-schools called “charters”
• 1991
– Minnesota passed the first charter school law
– California next in 1992
• By 2003, 40states had signed laws allowing for
charter schools
• Since 1994, the U.S. Dept. of Ed. has provided
grants to support states’ charter school efforts
($6 million in fiscal year 1995)
Why do Charter Schools Exist?
Attempt to provide a more efficient
education
Some specialize in certain fields
Allows parents more choice of where to
send their kids
Try to help students achieve more –
especially low income and minority
students
Why do Charter Schools Work?
• Have more autonomy to make changes in relation
to student needs
• Hold students and teachers responsible for
achievement
• Have freedom to reward performing teachers or
release non performing teachers
What are Private Schools?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Independent, non-government schools
Serve a diverse community
Provide religious values based on education
Promote a specific educational philosophy
Include day schools, boarding schools,
co-educational and single sex schools
EX. Catholic Schools, Jewish Schools, Montessori
Schools, Schools specializing in the needs of the
disabled
Who Runs Private Schools?
• Not administered by local, state or national
government
• Majority are operated by religious institutions
and organizations
• Funds are received through endowments,
donations, grants, alumni fundraising and tuition
Who Attends Private Schools?
• Students who are seeking particular religious
instruction
• Students who are seeking preparatory instruction
for college
• Anyone who is not satisfied with the services
available at public schools
• Students who belong to the community that the
school represents
In the early 1990’s Education
Management Organizations (ForProfit schools) began to grow.
Some EMOs contract with school
districts and use tax dollars and
venture capital to operate public
schools.
The largest EMO is the Edison
School
• Founded in 1991 by Chris
Whittle
• There are 51 schools (in 25
locations)
• Strong focus on technology
• 7 hour school day (90 minute
classes) 200 days a year
Benefits
• Specialized (Students with
Special Needs)
• School/ academic Accountability
• Parents have free educational
choice
Criticism
• Increased segregation is
schools
• Advocates skew data
• Financial gain outweighs the
educational process