Charter Schools In Public Schools

Charter schools are public schools that operate under a “charter” or contract that is between the school and its approving agency. The charter imposed allows for more balanced building autonomy and site-based management to meet the academic needs of the student population in which the school will serve. This autonomy allows the school to have authorship on budget, personnel selected, and the curriculum. A lot of charter schools do not have zoning limitations, so students attend the school by choice over being assigned (Houchens, 2017).
Most charter schools receive public monies and are funded in a distinct manner over their counterparts, traditional public schools. Charter schools may not charge tuition and if their enrollment exceeds the
Charter schools have been sponsored in urban, suburban, and rural areas by school districts, non-profit organizations, and universities. According to the National Education Association (NEA) Policy Statements (2016), “Charter schools have the potential to impact positively, or negatively, on public education—and this in turn will depend on how such schools are designed and operated (pg.13). Since the introduction of charter schools, education has seen an increase in awareness of the need to reform schools and policies.
President Obama addressed support for charter schools in a speech when he stated, “ “The outstanding work that’s being done here…is an example of how all our schools should be” (Russo, 2013). Rick Snyder (2011), a Republican Governor from Michigan, had the same type of mindset when he stated, “Charter schools play a critical role in providing Michigan students and parents with alternative educational options…This reform gives families who are trapped in failing schools more freedom to take control of their
Some view it as a form of privatizing schools that would cause more inequity in education. While others view it as an innovating idea that offers individuals choice for their child’s education (Zhang & Yang, 2008). Many groups that have vested interest in schools and school reform have opposing views. Even those that are researchers in education have varying views on the worthiness of charter schools (Hoxby, 2000).
Each political party has their hand on the hot button of charter schools. Publicly, Republicans appear to support the issues of increasing choice and competition in schools through the use of vouchers and charter school. While Democrats have seen charter schools as an approach to restructuring traditional public education that sidesteps government support for schools supported by vouchers (Henig, 2009). Challengers of the movement stress that the idea of expanding charter schools across the United States is the same as privatizing public education. They believe that the idea of choosing to allow charter schools may result in less transparency and accountability in education (Ravitch, 2010). Neither a supporter or opposing force, the NEA has stated on their website that, “Privatization = a cut in services for the school, a cut in benefits and wages for employees, and a risk to safety for students and families” (NEA,