A cousin to the “should we G&T or not” question, the charter schools vs public schools debate is multi-faceted and requires a stiff drink before final decisions. Here’s the Cliff’s Note version of how to settle the question.
How charter schools are different from public schools
Charter schools and public schools in America are publicly-funded and share a mission of educating kids, but that’s where the similarities end.
- Governance: Public schools are governed by local school boards and are subject to state and federal regulations, while charter schools are authorized by a chartering entity and operate independently of the local school district.
- Funding: Public schools are typically funded by local property taxes, state funds, and federal grants, while charter schools receive public funding but may also rely on private donations and grants.
- Accountability: Public schools are held accountable to state and federal standards and must participate in standardized testing and other assessments, while charter schools are often granted greater autonomy and flexibility but may also be subject to more rigorous accountability measures.
- Curriculum: Public schools are required to follow state and federal curriculum standards, while charter schools may have more flexibility to design their own curriculum and teaching methods.
- Enrollment: Public schools are open to all students who live within the district boundaries, while charter schools often have limited enrollment and may require a lottery or other selection process.
- Teacher qualifications: Public schools typically require teachers to have state certification, while charter schools may have more flexibility in hiring and may not require certification.
- Special education services: Public schools are required to provide special education services to eligible students, while charter schools are also required to provide these services but may not have the same level of resources and support as public schools.
Charter Schools vs Public Schools: TRICK QUESTION! This is going to come down to some very personal preferences that each individual family will answer differently.
Mr. 5 is going to be attending a charter school for example, and for us, academic rigor/developing critical thinking skills was a strong driver for our decision. We also appreciated the two specials (aka fun classes: Spanish, PE, Science, or Art) every day. It’s an IB-aligned program, and crucially, every classroom has 2 teachers through elementary school. Yes, the K-12 component (aka being able to attend the same school network and not having to worry about middle school or high school admissions) is huge. Finally, this will sound ridiculous, but the kids have lunch at noon instead of 1045. This wasn’t a dealbreaker for the public school offer, but it made a difference to me.
This contrasted with our public school offer: 1 teacher per classroom, specials on a weekly versus daily basis, uncertain middle school admissions, needing to pray that you get a good teacher (as opposed to a pretty consistent roster of strong teachers at the charter school). We were also aware of how reading is being taught (debunked Teacher’s College curriculum supplemented by Fundations), and for those who didn’t enter Kindergarten knowing how to read, this mish-mash is hit or miss.
Do charter school teachers make more money?
TL:DR NO
On average, charter school teachers in America do not earn more money than public school teachers. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average salary for public school teachers in the United States was $62,870 during the 2018-2019 school year. By contrast, a study by the National Education Association (NEA) found that the average salary for charter school teachers in the United States was $46,530 during the 2017-2018 school year.
It’s worth noting that teacher salaries can vary widely depending on the state, district, and individual school. Some charter schools may offer higher salaries or other forms of compensation, such as bonuses or retirement benefits, in order to attract and retain high-quality teachers. However, in general, charter school teachers tend to earn less than public school teachers.
Charter Schools vs Public Schools: public schools. It may seem like a point that parents shouldn’t care about, BUT – this could cut both ways. I argue that it’s important on school tours to get a sense of what keeps teachers motivated and returning. A stable learning environment begins with teachers wanting to be in the classroom.
How are charter schools authorized?
Charter schools are authorized through a process that varies depending on the state. In general, charter schools are authorized by either a local school district or a state-level entity, such as a state board of education or a public charter school commission.
The authorization process typically involves the following steps:
- Application: An individual or group interested in opening a charter school submits an application to the authorizing entity. The application outlines the school’s mission, goals, curriculum, and proposed governance structure.
- Review: The authorizing entity reviews the application and evaluates the proposed school’s capacity to provide a quality education to students. This may include an assessment of the school’s financial plan, facilities, and staffing.
- Approval: If the authorizing entity approves the application, the proposed school is granted a charter. The charter outlines the terms of the school’s operation, including its governance structure, accountability measures, and performance goals.
- Oversight: The authorizing entity is responsible for monitoring the charter school’s compliance with the terms of its charter. This may include regular evaluations, site visits, and reviews of financial and academic performance.
- Renewal or revocation: The charter is typically granted for a fixed term, after which the authorizing entity may renew or revoke the charter based on the school’s performance. Poor academic or financial performance may result in revocation of the charter, while strong performance may lead to renewal and continued operation.
The authorization process is designed to ensure that charter schools meet high standards of academic quality and accountability. By granting greater autonomy and flexibility to charter schools, while also holding them accountable for their performance, the authorization process seeks to promote innovation and improve educational outcomes for students.
Charter Schools vs Public Schools: charter schools. Not all charters are renewed, and not all applications are approved. Also, there is a cap on how many charter schools can be authorized. By design, they have to prove some kind of result, whereas public schools can continue to exist almost indefinitely, no matter how bad or how under-enrolled. From a standards perspective, charter schools win.
I also created the Confident Decision Maker’s Toolkit to help parents evaluating programs. If you’re on the hunt for a new school or program for your child, this toolkit has the data, questions, and decision making tools you need to choose the right program for your child. It is the most effective $50 you’ll spend!
