I recently updated my FAQ page. Here is an excerpt: “What is a charter school?”
A charter school is a public school. It’s authorized directly by the state, not by a local school district. Students can cross district boundaries to attend the charter school of their choice. Charter schools have the freedom to innovate and create new learning models to help students succeed.
Charter schools are tuition-free; they are supported by state tax money. They are also subject to state and federal accountability standards, so charter school students have to take the same standardized tests as other public school students.
All students are welcome, including special needs students and English language learners. There are no entrance exams. They are non-sectarian and non-discriminatory.
Learn more:
- “What’s a charter school anyway?” at Greatschools.org
- “What Are Public Charter Schools?” at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
- “What is a Charter School?” at the Texas Charter Schools Association
- “Charter Schools” at the Texas Education Agency
Do you have a question about “What is a charter school?” Please leave a comment below.
This is very helpful information. Thanks for putting it together.
Thank you, Pamela!
Do charter schools follow the Common Core curriculum?
Good question. It depends on which state you are in.
Texas is one of the few states that has not adopted the Common Core standards. http://www.corestandards.org/in-the-states
Instead, Texas uses its own standards, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, pronounced “teeks”. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148
Charter schools must follow the TEKS.
Does that help?
Yes, it does. Thank you! Great info!