16.12 Charter Schools

Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate independently of the traditional public school system. They are established through a charter, or contract, with a state or local authorizing agency, such as a school district, university, or nonprofit organization. This charter outlines the school’s mission, goals, and accountability requirements. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools have greater flexibility in their curriculum, teaching methods, and management, which ideally allows them to innovate and tailor educational approaches to meet the needs of their students.

The concept of charter schools was created to provide more educational choices for families and to encourage innovation in teaching and learning. The idea is that by giving schools more freedom to experiment with different educational methods, they can find new and effective ways to improve student achievement.

Charter schools can be started by teachers, parents, nonprofit organizations, or private equity firms looking to make money. While many charter schools are nonprofit, some are operated by for-profit organizations. This arrangement can be problematic because a for-profit organization’s primary goal is to generate profit for its shareholders or owners. This profit motive can sometimes conflict with the educational goals of providing high-quality education. For example, a for-profit entity might prioritize cost-cutting measures that negatively affect the quality of education, such as hiring less experienced teachers or reducing educational resources.

Charter schools are publicly funded based on student enrollment, often through a system where funding follows the student. This means that each student brings a certain amount of funding with them in the form of vouchers or other types of public education funding. In Ohio, for example, the funding comes from a combination of state and local tax revenues that would otherwise be allocated to the student’s home school district. These funds are redirected to the charter school the student attends and are used to cover the school’s operating costs, such as teacher salaries, classroom materials, and building maintenance. Federal grants may also provide additional funding for specific programs or initiatives.

Investing public money into the charter school system has its pros and cons. On the positive side, charter schools can innovate and use flexible teaching methods that might be more effective than traditional approaches. They provide families with more options to find a school that best fits their child’s needs and must meet specific performance goals to remain open, which can drive them to improve student outcomes. On the downside, this can divert funds away from traditional public schools, potentially weakening the overall public education system. The quality of charter schools can vary widely; some perform exceptionally well, while others do not meet basic educational standards. There is also a risk that charter schools might not serve all students equally, particularly those with special needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Investing more public money into charter schools is a complex issue with potential benefits and drawbacks. It requires careful consideration of how to balance innovation and choice with ensuring all students have access to high-quality education.