In the United States, charter schools function as independent, publicly-funded learning facilities typically established by local educators, families, and community groups. The word “charter” refers to the fact that each charter school operates under a charter recognized by a local, state, or federal authority on education. Charter school leaders have much more flexibility over the curriculum and other aspects of faculty and student life compared to traditional public schools. In addition, charter school opportunities are only limited by availability, as opposed to costly private school tuition.
Charter schools are sometimes referred to as “schools of choice,” because they represent a second option for families who initially believed they could only choose between local public and private schools. Unfortunately for families interested in alternative approaches to education, the number of US charter schools remains relatively small. Following the 2019-2020 school year, just over 7,500 charter schools were operating in America, up from less than 2,000 in 2001.
While these figures indicate an upward trend for charter schools, there were over 98,500 public schools in 2021, along with more than 30,000 private schools. Furthermore, the rate of growth for charter schools in the US has slowed since 2016.
It should be noted that, unlike public and private schools, charter school options do not usually extend beyond high school education. In Massachusetts, for instance, free charter public education must be made available to students up to the age of 22, but there is no legislation regarding charter school education beyond that point.
Families interested in public charter school education may wonder how charter students stand up academically compared to students from more traditional learning environments, particularly students from historically underserved cohorts. A study drawing on student data from 2005 through 2017 showed that these cohorts made more significant gains in charter school settings, especially African American students coming from low income households.
There are a range of benefits when it comes to opting for charter school education. Charter environments tend to be more supportive of innovation and specialization, allowing students to receive an effective, memorable learning experience tailored to their needs. Charter schools often engage family members and other parts of the community. In addition, charter schools are not only held to the same legal and academic standards as public schools, but must also adhere to specific financial strictures and any specific objectives outlined in the school’s charter.
The expanded choice for families can also represent something of a drawback. Charter schools are diverse in nature. Unlike public schools, one charter school can provide a child with a radically different academic experience compared to a charter located in the same town. It makes it imperative that families research the various types of charter schools, and ensure that their chosen institution is a good fit for the student.
For example, STEM charter schools are heavily rooted in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, while language immersion charter schools balance general education with helping students achieve fluency in the target language. A child who struggles with or is otherwise uninterested in science and math would likely not enjoy their time at a STEM charter school, while families who do not value bilingualism should not enroll their child in a language immersion charter school. Other options include project-based charter schools, Montessori schools, and environmental science charters.
