EDUCATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

CHARTER SCHOOLSJay Bahkta, Rebeccah Czarniak, and Monique Lopez

MTE/501

George Morse

CHARTER SCHOOL MISSION AND VALUES

“A charter school promotes student learning through a clear vision and high expectations. It achieves clear, measurable program goals and student learning objectives, including meeting its stated performance standards and closing achievement gaps of students.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014)

Charter Schools were created with the intention to give “parents the power and opportunity to choose the school their child will attend.” ("The Center For Education Reform", November 23, 2014). Families are not restricted to sending their children to schools in their immediate area.

“Charter schools satisfy and serve their primary constituents (teachers, parents, and students) by providing exciting and viable education in an inclusive, individual manner.” ("The Center For Education Reform", November 23, 2014). Teachers have more freedom to teach, parents have the freedom of choice, and students are given

the individual attention they need.

“Charter schools have been more successful at closing racial achievement gaps than district schools have been.” ("The Center For Education Reform", November 23, 2014). With success of the students come the enrollments of students, lack of enrollment leads to

closures of these types of schools. (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014)

CHARTER SCHOOL MISSIONS AND VALUES

“The Ripple Effect:” Public Schools are using the standards Charter Schools have adopted regarding curriculum,

teacher retention, and “best-practices”. ("The Center For Education Reform", November 23, 2014). Charter Schools are pushing Public Schools to improve .

School Choice Having a choice in the schools children are enrolled in gives parents more control and a

willingness to contribute to their child’s education.

Attitude: Students are more engaged in their learning environments. Parents feel that they have a choice in protecting their child’s education. Teachers and Administrators are working with people and parents that advocate for learning.

In California, the mission is to “increase student achievement by supporting and expanding California’s quality charter public school movement.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014)

CHARTER SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY

According to "The Benefits Of Attending A Charter School" (n.d), “Charter schools are perfect for exploring technological developments in the educational setting.” (Charter Schools Provide an exciting alternative to the public school environment ). Due to the smaller student population

and independent budget management from a public school board, Charter schools can have various technologies available for their students.

Types of technology available for student use are: Touchscreen devices Laptops

CHARTER SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY

Teachers have access to advance technology such as Elmo Smart Boards Clickers

Due high cost of renting facilities, many Charter schools do not have science labs. (California Charter Schools Association , n.d). Science labs are highly technical

facilities that have cutting edge technology to help support the teacher’s lesson plans

CERTIFICATION FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Since January 1, 1999, all teachers in charter schools are required to hold either a teaching credential or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

The statute also provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, no college preparatory courses. Teachers in core or college preparatory courses must hold a valid credential equivalent to that which would be required of a teacher in a non-charter public school. The statute does not affect the qualifications for any service personnel (administrators, counselors, librarians or others) employed by the charter school.

CERTIFICATION FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Teachers in charter schools are required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold, according to California Education Code (EC) Section 47605(l) [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=47001-48000&file=47605-47608].

Also that it is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, non-college preparatory courses. Currently, this flexibility is not extended to countywide benefit charter schools approved under EC Section 47605.6.

Administrators and non-teaching staff in a charter school are not required to be credentialed.

CHARTER SCHOOL COST AND FUNDING

In 2013, the laws in California changed, the regulatory laws are still pending, but the funding which was previously 100% allocated from the state is no longer the case. (NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, 2014).

General funding for many districts is primarily from property taxes

Funding for Charter Schools come from general funds of the district, offset by grants, and donations (Sugarman 2002)

Inter-district spending inequalities also create a predicament for charter school funding. (Sugarman 2002) California charter schools were receiving

on average $9,987 per pupil, while districts would have received an estimated $10,995 per pupil to educate those same students (NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, 2014).

Charter schools are funded on a per pupil basis and regular public schools on a teacher position basis. (Sugarman 2002) Charter schools are at a disadvantage

financially, they would have to rely on new, less experienced teaching staff.

CHARTER SCHOOL COST AND FUNDING

Charter Schools have to rent the facilities, the rent comes from the allocated funds they have for the year. (California Charter Schools Association , n.d) Public Schools facilities are supported by bond measures thus reducing the cost The outcome of having to rent facilities is:

Can take 10 to 20 percent of the funds to rent facilities Mediocre facilities, many without gyms cafeterias, and proper science lab classrooms Lower salaries for teachers, translating in to less experienced newer teachers for the

students.

Cost besides facilities for Charter schools include expenditure on the following but not limited to Teachers and staffing – Most charter schools hire relatively new teachers due to the

high cost of facilities. (California Charter Schools Association , n.d) Technology – as an incentive for students to come to the charter school , many charter

schools have very sophisticated computers and other technology available for the students.

Supplies – the amount of supplies needed by the school also have to be accounted for

CHARTER SCHOOL POPULATION

Number of students enrolled in U.S. public charter schools: Selected school years, 1999–2000 through 2011–12

The student population in has rose every year since the study began, most noticeable is the rate on increase between 2009 and 2012. 300,000 students enrolled between this time.

Source U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD), "Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey," 1999–2000 through 2011–12.

CHARTER SCHOOL POPULATION

Percentage of students enrolled in U.S. public charter schools, by race/ethnicity: School years, 1999–2000 and 2011–12

In the 12 years Whites and Blacks have dropped in attended public charter schools by an average of 5.5% where as Hispanics have risen 8 percent in that same time. Asians and American Indians seem to account for only 5% of the total population.

Source U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD), "Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey," 1999–2000 and 2011–12.

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

Montessori

Reggio Emilia

Inquiry Based

Project Based

Core Knowledge

Success for All

Differentiated Instruction

Love and Logic

Waldorf

AREAS OF INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

College-Prep

Core Knowledge

Child-Centered

Project-Based

Arts

Community Service

Inquiry-Based

Technology

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)

Service Learning

PERFORMANCE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

http://dashboard.publiccharters.org/dashboard/performance/page/overview/state/CA/year/2011

TEACHER LEGAL AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

“The leaders of a charter school are stewards of the charter’s mission and vision and carry out their duties in a professional, responsible and ethical manner. Charter school leaders use their influence and authority for the primary

purpose of achieving student success.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014)

Charter School teachers in California are required to “achieve clear, measurable program goals and student learning objectives, including meeting its stated performance standards.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014)

Teachers in California Charter Schools are also required to “demonstrates high expectations for student achievement.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014) These expectations support confidence in the success of the student

body.

TEACHER LEGAL AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Teachers fulfill ethical responsibilities by supporting “students in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment characterized by trust, caring and professionalism.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014) Teachers are held to high standards and should be trusted to ensure the safety and

health of the students and the school. Prevent violence and bullying Familiar with safety procedures in crisis Promote student health and wellness in a healthy, clean, and comfortable environment

It is important that teachers and leaders of Charter Schools use their “influence and authority for the primary purpose of achieving student success.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014)

As well as acknowledging and respecting that there is “diversity and implements practices that are inclusive of all types of learners consistent with the school charter.” (California Charter School Association, November 23, 2014)

REFERENCES

Sugarman, Stephen D. (2002, August 9). Charter school funding issues. Education Policy

Analysis Archives, 10(34). Retrieved [11/19/2014] from http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v10n34.html

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS. (2014). Measuring up. Retrieved from http://www.publiccharters.org/get-the-facts/law-database/states/CA/#

The Benefits of Attending a Charter School. (n.d). Retrieved from http://wingscharterschool.org/

California Charter Schools Association . (n.d). CCSA families. Retrieved from http://ccsafamilies.org/2011/06/a-parents-guide-to-charter-facility-challenges.html

 California Charter School Association. (November 23, 2014). Understanding Charters. Retrieved from http://www.calcharters.org/about/

The Center For Education Reform. (November 23, 2014). Retrieved from https://www.edreform.com/issues/choice-charter-schools/

California Education Code (EC) Section 47605(l) [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=47001-48000&file=47605-47608]