5 Advantages of Charter Schools

Charter schools offer many benefits to students, parents, teachers, and communities. At a charter school, decisions about how best to serve students aren’t made at a district office; instead, those decisions are made in the school by teachers and administrators who know the student population they serve. Here are five advantages of charter schools to consider when choosing a school for your child.

1. More innovation. As charter schools are free to determine all aspects of their school program and are not tied to district frameworks, they often serve as incubators of innovation. Charter schools can adopt progressive curriculum standards and techniques in order to better engage their students. They can embrace a new type of learning technology or a revolutionary way of teaching a subject. As a result, charter schools have pioneered practices now widely used today. The decision to lengthen the school day and year, to evaluate teacher effectiveness by examining student performance over time, and to reward teachers through referring to performance, all first appeared in charter schools. This best practice sharing has enriched students and public school districts alike.

2. Parental involvement. Charter schools prioritize parental and family involvement. Some schools require parents to sign a contract committing to support their child’s academic success by attending school events and ensuring they are on time and in school every day. This fosters a strong sense of purpose and connection to the schooling experience for both children and their parents. Other schools require or ask parents to volunteer on boards and committees, prioritizing community and shared responsibility for students’ success.

3. More specialization. Charter schools can tailor their lessons and educational plans to their student’s needs. Curricula can be designed and adapted specifically for the students in the building. In order to execute this implementation effectively, the school must rely heavily on its educators. Teachers are empowered to design their own material. Provided with as much creative control as possible, teachers are better able to educate students with varying levels of ability, a process known as differentiated learning.

4. Increased accountability. Accountability is a fundamental part of any charter school’s operations. That’s because the school operates under a contract with an authorizing entity (either a local school board or state agency). The charter (or contract) requires the school to meet specific performance benchmarks and maintain a level of fiscal responsibility. Schools must typically renew their charter every three to five years. If the school fails to meet the conditions outlined in the charter, the organizing agency may require the school to make improvements or even choose to revoke the school’s right to operate.

5. More inclusivity. Many charter schools commit to inclusivity and do not exclude students based on academic ability or disability. The lottery-based admission system ensures fairness among applicants. For students who do need additional support or specialized programs, charter schools are a welcome reprieve from a “one size fits all” approach. These schools strive to create a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services