Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money (and like other schools, may also receive private donations) but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter. Charter schools are attended by choice. Although charter schools provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. Where enrollment in a charter school is oversubscribed, admission is frequently allocated by lottery-based admissions systems. However, the lottery is open to all students. (via Wikipedia)
Traditional or charter schools? Actually, they help each other, study says.
A new study suggests that best practices from charter schools can help student achievement at underperforming public schools. The issue is getting the two to cooperate. Read more.
Dr. Fryer, who is the faculty director of Harvard’s Education Innovations Laboratories (EdLabs), studied 35 charter schools in New York and discovered the top five practices that separate low- and high-achieving charter schools:
1) extended time at school
2) strong administrators and teachers
3) data-driven instruction
4) small-group tutoring
5) creating a “culture of high expectations
Charter Schools that Energize Students works with that have programs and curriculums that advocates to student's needs are:
1) Escondido Charter School's Mission is to provide a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 9-12 dedicated to providing the best education possible in a safe and orderly learning environment. They offer 2 programs for students:
- Individualized Learning Program (ILP): students have flexible, part-time schedules similar to that of college students. ILP students meet with their personal teachers for one-hour each week and attend school on a year-round basis. In addition to their weekly one-on-one meeting, students also take modular courses for computers, math and career courses.
- Traditional Classroom Program (TCP): classroom based instruction is an intimate learning environment. TCP class sizes average 20 students, as opposed to over 35 in many district schools today. By keeping the teacher to student ratio low, they create close-knit environment where students benefit by receiving personalized instruction.
2) Pivot Charter School San Diego utilizes a standards-based online curriculum that students can access 24 hours a day combined with onsite support and classes to provide an innovative high quality education. They incorporate an online curriculum with California-credentialed online teachers and California-credentialed on-site teachers working side by side with students as they are engaged in their courses.
Interview with Adam Jubela, Executive Director of EnergizeStudents.org on Charter School Radio.
Adam Jubela is Director of EnergizeStudents.org from Charter School Broadcasting on Vimeo.