Blog # 7 Charter Schools in Alabama, Are you for them or against them?

How will the development of Alabama Charter Schools benefit both general education and special education students?

I decided to research charter schools since the State of Alabama is trying to adopt this type of schools. Here are some of the pros and cons for charter schools from different websites. Let me know what you think about charter schools.

 First I would like to know the definition of a charter school:

Wikipedia stated:

“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.^[1] Charter schools are opened and attended by choice.^[2] While 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.”

California Charter Schools defined charter schools as:

“Charter schools are independent public schools with rigorous curriculum programs and unique educational approaches. In exchange for operational freedom and flexibility, charter schools are subject to higher levels of accountability than traditional public schools. Charter schools, which are tuition-free and open to all students, offer quality and choice in the public education system.”

http://www.calcharters.org/understanding/what-are-charter-schools.html

California Charter schools are revisited after five years to determine if they are meeting the guidelines stated in the charter.

Here are the guidelines for California Charter schools:

The Charter Schools Act of 1992 states:

It is the intent of the Legislature...to provide opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils, and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the existing school district structure, as a method to accomplish all of the following:

(a) Improve pupil learning.

(b) Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for pupils who are identified as academically low achieving.

(c) Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods.

(d) Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site.

(e) Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system.

(f) Hold the schools established under this part accountable for meeting measurable pupil outcomes, and provide the schools with a method to change from rule-based to performance-based accountability systems.

(g) Provide vigorous competition within the public school system to stimulate continual improvements in all public schools. Ed. Code §4760

According to California charter schools have made a difference in the education of their students.

Alabama Policy Institute Charter Schools Proposal definition:

“Charter schools are independent public schools authorized through a charter agreement with a sponsor, —usually a school district, state governmental body, or university. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are overseen by a governing board of parents and members of the local community. Charter schools have greater autonomy over daily operations, academic programs, and human resources than do traditional district schools. For example, charter schools can select their own philosophy, pedagogy, curricula, textbooks, and supporting materials. They have considerable freedom over how they hire, train, evaluate, compensate, and retain employees. Charter schools oversee their own budgets including capital construction and maintenance costs. And, like other public schools, charter schools must adhere to state and federal laws regarding civil rights, students with disabilities, testing, reporting and other state accountability measures, and building and safety codes.” http://www.statebudgetsolutions.org/publications/detail/charter-schools-in-alabama

As I read through several of the websites related to charter schools, most say that charter schools are for all students regardless of the student’s needs. However, I could not find the guidelines for Alabama charter schools like the California have their guidelines posted as a public document. I tried to pull up state guidelines for Alabama but the PDF would not open up. So what is behind Governor Robert Bentley and our state legislatures wanting charter schools for Alabama, will it help or harm our students. Also will special education students be able to attend these schools if they want to? I am not entirely convinced that charter schools will help to improve the education of our students or if this is some type of political statement to try to pull education funds from our general education budget. Our public schools have a hard time trying to come up with funds to better our student’s education without part of the funds going to charter schools. What will happen when we have several hundred charter schools and our public schools are still struggling to get funding for the latest technology innovations? I am really worried about how charter schools will affect public education. What are your thoughts on charter schools?

 I found a website that is promoting charter schools. It states the common myths about charter schools: http://www.alcharterschoolfacts.com/?gclid=CNa6pp34yK8CFQW0nQodzi2KaQ . Some of the myths include:

1.       Charter schools are not public schools

2.       Charter schools take money away from local public schools

3.       Charter schools don’t work

4.       Charter schools selectively pick only the brightest students

5.       Charter schools do not serve special needs students

6.       Charter schools only exist to line the pockets of corporations and executives

7.       Proponents of charter schools believe that charter schools are “cure-alls”, “panaceas”, or “silver bullets”

Are we really going to have charter schools in Alabama? How will this affect teachers? But the most important issue is how will it AFFECT THE STUDENTS? There are so many different opinions on the Internet, which ones are true and which ones should we believe.

The following is a video from CBS News on YouTube uploaded on September 23, 2010 Davis Guggenheim talks about charter schools and “how they have revolutionized education in America.” 

What is Charter Schools? 

Charter schools vs Public schools video:

Please give me your opinion about Charter schools. Will our students benefit from them? Will it really help students with special needs? There are so many questions which should be considered. I hope I have given you a information from both sides about charter schools. I really do not know if they will help special needs students or not.

Education Week is another great resources which you can subscribe to for continuing blogs about charter schools: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/04/13/28catalyst_charters.h31.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school