A lot of people have a difficulty differentiating charter schools from traditional public schools. Many parents just go for regular public schools in the belief that charter schools don’t perform any better. Although it is true that charter schools are still considered public schools because they are funded by the state and do not require the payment of tuition fees, they are still very different from traditional public schools according to a number of aspects:
Options to choose from
Organizations,
parents, teachers and different sectors of the community can add educational
opportunities for children through charter schools. This caters to the unique
needs of students and their specific talents. Sponsorship is given by local and
state boards, community agencies and colleges and universities so children can
better hone their skills. On the other hand, traditional public schools have a
limited number of available programs and they may not be engaging enough for
students who are more interested in other subjects.
Flexibility
Most public
schools only focus on teaching lessons within the four walls of the classroom.
In contrast, charter schools use different methods of teaching that are
interactive, convenient and effective for students. One way that charter
schools have revolutionized the country’s educational system is in using the
latest technology in making different subjects more engaging to students of all
levels.
Accountability
Public schools
must comply with district and state regulations while charter schools are held
accountable according to how well they educate children. The latter must teach their
students in a safe and conducive environment and must meet student achievement
goals set by their charter. Charter schools that fail to manage the financial
and operational responsibilities bestowed upon them are closed.
Independence
Charter schools
do not have the same frustrating bureaucracy and regulations that traditional
public schools have. Rather than basing education on compliance, they aim for
individual excellence. The attention of teachers in charter schools are more
focused on developing their students’ abilities instead of working on state
procedures and written documents.
