How to Choose Between a Public Charter School and a Regular Public School

 

There are several differences between a public charter school and a regular public school. Public schools are governed by a school board, which is elected by the community. Charter schools, however, are self-governed, and the board is made up of a parent or school employee. Some of the richest individuals have invested in charter schools, including the heirs of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, Don Fischer, founder of Gap, and Bill Gates. 

 

When choosing a charter school, parents should look at the following criteria. A school's transportation must be available. Generally, transportation must be provided by the school district. However, if the student is unable to walk or ride public transportation, the district must provide transportation. Charter schools must participate in the same extracurricular activities as regular public schools. However, school districts are often required to pay for the transport of students requiring accommodations. This can be a major factor when deciding between a charter school and a public school, click here to get more info.

 

The academic performance of students attending a public charter school varies. According to a study by Stanford University's Center for Research on Educational Outcomes (CREDO), students in a charter school lagged behind their public school counterparts in 2009. But by 2013, the two types of schools were achieving similar grades in reading and math. In 2015, CREDO examined the performance of urban charter schools in the United States. The students in these schools significantly outperformed their district counterparts.

 

Enrollment criteria for a public charter school vary by state.  In most states, there is a deadline for applications, and students must be selected by lottery. Some schools give preference to siblings and returning students. Other schools give preference to students in their district. They are not required to give first preference to students from minority groups. But, there are many advantages to a public charter school. So, if you are considering enrolling your child in one, be prepared to pay a high tuition. Continue reading this full article on this topic to get more insight.

 

Attendance policies are important. Every charter school is required to implement a code of student conduct. The code must include policies regarding student discipline and listing of student rights. The code of conduct must be published and distributed to all students in the school. In addition, parents must sign and date the code in order for it to be valid. The code of conduct must also be posted in the charter school. If parents are unsure, they should ask the school's Principal to see a copy of the charter school's policy.

 

A student may not attend a charter school if they become institutionalized. This can be a result of drug and alcohol treatment, detention homes, or other residential treatment facilities. If the student is not happy in a charter school, they can apply for admission to a local public school. But they must be able to prove that they are in need of admission to another school. If the charter school is closed, students will have to wait a week or two to enroll in another public school. You can learn more about this post at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school.