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A Quick Snapshot for Parents: About Public Charter Schools
How are public charter schools different?
Public
Charter Schools are independent public schools that are free to be more
innovative and are held accountable for improved student achievement.
They
foster a partnership between parents, teachers and students to create
an environment in which parents can be more involved, teachers are
given the freedom to innovate and students are provided the structure and individualized attention they need to learn.
A More Structured Learning Environment
Charter schools
are mission-focused schools. For example, across New Mexico we have
schools that focus on the culinary arts, performing arts, military
partnerships and that work with students who do not perform well in
more traditional settings. At their best, charter schools provide a more structured learning environment, greater student discipline and increased parental involvement.
Improved Student Achievement
Charter schools are granted certain waivers from state laws and public school codes. In exchange for more autonomy, they are held more accountable for improving student achievement.
Increased Flexibility
School leaders are permitted more flexibility when managing their school, allowing them to respond to parents and students needs.
Charter schools hire and fire their own personnel, manage their own budgets and report to their own board of directors.
Rewarded Quality
High quality teachers are rewarded for their excellent service. Teachers in charter schools must be certified by the state and meet federal requirements for highly qualified status.
Increased Options
Charter schools give parents public school options when it comes to where to send their child to school. Any child may attend a public charter school—there are no tuition or entrance requirements. Enrollment is generally done on a lottery basis.
One of the advantages to sending your child to a charter school is the greater
role parents may play in their child’s school. You can participate in its governance,
its teaching philosophy -- even its curriculum. Consider joining your school’s
governance council and taking a direct hand in its actions. Your school’s administrators
and teachers need your help, and are waiting for you to volunteer. To find the
appropriate contact at your child’s school, click here.
The 1999 Charter School Act strongly encourages parental involvement in every aspect
of charter school operations.
Parental and public involvement is necessary for any
public school to succeed; for
charter schools that need is even greater. Parents can help by participating in your
school’s fundraising efforts by joining your school’s PTA or analogous organization.
If your school has one, consider joining your school’s non-profit foundation, which
generally works toward supplementing the charter schools’ operational budget or helps
build school facilities.
Non-profits organizations associated with a charter
school work to ensure charter school students have access to the same opportunities
enjoyed by other students in traditional public schools.
Charter Schools generally are smaller in size than conventional public
schools. They endorse a specific academic program that is unique to the
school. They are managed by their own governance council and enjoy
site-based governance. In exchange for this greater freedom, charter
schools agree to operate with less funding, so they receive even less
money per pupil than other public schools in New Mexico. That is,
charter schools receive no money for capital outlay, or public school
building and maintenance. That means they must take money out of their
operational funds to pay for a lease, rent and facility maintenance.
Thus in many ways charter schools require an even greater level of
parental involvement and indeed, the spirit of the 1999 Charter School
Act strongly encourages it!
As a parent, you also have responsibilities to your charter school child. After all,
your child’s first and most important teacher is you. One Michigan school district has
summed up those responsibilities in the following brief guidelines:
As a parent, it is my responsibility to:
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Provide a quiet place for my child to study every night
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Encourage my child to complete his/her homework every day
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Make sure my elementary school child gets to bed at an appropriate time
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Attend parent-teacher conferences, some meetings and other school events
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Spend at least 15 minutes per day reading with/to my child
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Make sure my child eats a good breakfast
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Take a moment to look at everything your child brings home
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Ask him/her to tell you about their school day
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Ask "how" and "why" questions
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Give praise (be specific), encouragement and guidance
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Be realistic in expectations
- Set aside a time each night that the TV/Computer is off and there are as few distractions as possible."
For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Useful Documents and Information
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