Public school in Australia, Canada and the United States, may refer to a school funded with tax revenue and administered by a government or government agency. Charter schools in the United States are primary or secondary schools that receive public money (and like other schools, may also receive private donations) but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school’s charter. Charter schools are opened and attended by choice. While charter schools provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. Where enrollment in a charter school is oversubscribed, admission is frequently allocated by lottery-based admissions. In a 2008 survey of charter schools, 59% of the schools reported that they had a waiting list, averaging 198 students. Some charter schools provide a curriculum that specializes in a certain field — e.g., arts and mathematics. These are the highlighted facts about public and charter schools. Given this information, where would you send your kids?
This is a difficult question for many parents today. Recently, a documentary called “Waiting for Superman” investigated this issue. The movie hinged on the failure of the American public school system and the competition to be chosen to go to a charter school based on lottery. The competition is stiff. Are charter schools better? This is a difficult topic of discussion since the two schools work differently. Who is to say which is better? Only time and today’s economy will tell.
Our Reaction:
After discussing our own personal view on Public V.S. Charter School, we came up with
the following view points:
- We feel that both types of schools are different but yet deliver a professional standard of education.
- There’s no direct evidence that charter schools are proven to be better than public schools.
- Kids may feel intimated with the whole lottery aspect of receiving admission.
- Many public schools have difficulty funding for after school activities which may make charter school seem more superior.
- Charter schools seem to give an impression of luxury and privilege to both students and parents.
- Students may feel inferior to students that attend a charter school.
- Some parents may feel charter schools are for troubled students and by enrolling them in a charter school, there problems will be solved.
- Students don’t perform better in a charter school over a public school. Assessments, grades and projects are equally fair but may be done through different techniques.
- Parents may think by sending their child to a charter school that their child will get into one of the top universities.
- We both went to public school, and feel that we received the same education as if we attended a charter school.
- People view charter schools as more of a private institution opposed to a public one.
Reference Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTfaro96dg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLih24QdwH8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKwj8Ln1fss
I believe that every child thinks and learns differently. I like that there are more schools available to cater to more of these differences, but the parent must ultimately decide what is best for their child. The way one child may learn in a public school setting may not work for another child in a charter school setting, and vice versa. Because many parents would like to try charter schools for their child, it would only be fair to have a random decision of admission. Who is to say that one child deserves to go to the charter school more than another? Though I would still like to see more long-term effects of children who went to charter schools.
I have actually observed a charter school. I can truly say that there is not a huge difference within the classroom between a charter school and a public school. The only difference is that the charter school participates in the lottery and the students are required to wear uniforms. I guess the term “charter” sounds privileged and has a nice ring to it, but it is not as mighty as people take it to be. I actually think the lottery puts more pressure on students. As if they don’t encounter enough pressure within their years of education…
I would have no problem sending my child to public school if they were in a good district. Public schools tend to differ academically from district to district. If I was zoned in a district with a good reputation then I believe that my child would be getting a very good education. They only way I would want my child to go to a charter school is if we were zoned for a district with a bad reputation.
Im torn to the idea of charter vs. public. My biggest argument, as a future teacher, would be in a charter school the teacher has the freedom to be innovative; to teach outside of the box. In public schools there are standards and regulations. Not to say in a charter school there isn’t- but you are allowed more flexibility for your creativity.
As far as where I would send my child… I would consider it. There is some stigma attached to charter schools, but – it may be worth it.
Kids are kids and education is education. It really comes down to how the teacher teaches. I would want my child to get the best experience out of their education- stigma, uniforms, and lotto aside.
To me.. the schools stats and the teachers are my main concern.. not if it is a public vs charter.
I agree that the topic of charter schools vs. traditional public school is difficult. There are so many different opinions on the topic and so many pros and cons to each argument. I think that it is great to provide families with as many options as possible, but at the same time, many students don’t get into the schools, based on a lottery, leaving them with no options. Also, the lack of regulations seems to be a little strange to me. From what I understand charter schools are relatively new and time will tell if they are beneficial to students and our society.
It is not important to me where I send my children to whether charter schools or regular public schools. I think teachers abilities to control and understand students’ potential and intelligence is the most important thing. Most of the students want to involve themselves a group, and have a good relationships and friendships with their teachers and classmates. Yet, I heard that charter schools allow the students overcome racism through high expectations, challenges, and motivation from the teachers and classmates, rather than addressing the differences curriculum of poverty and poor academic achievement. I firmly believe that showing compassion helps make students develop their abilities and adjust at the school.
I found this article to be very informative. I have a very mixed opinion about charter schools versus public schools. One of the charter schools that I have visited is really wonderful and truly enhance the education of international students. This school is called the Flushing International High School. Their plan is very organized and effective in providing an equal opportunity for all international students. The only limit is they do not accept applicants from ESL students that have been in the US for more than four years. This school has a great program and might be helpful for students that have been in the states for longer. Why close the doors? Another charter school that I observed had a lot of bureaucracy involved where certain problems may not be addressed unless you know the right person or have a higher standing within the school administration. Unfortunately these are concerns that I have about charter schools among some additional ones discussed in the above commentary and within the personal view of the authors to this article. Do charter schools effectively administer education to all students? In my opinion, I kind of feel that teachers should gather together to develop strategies that will improve public schools rather than trying to create a whole new system with a charter school which seems more time consuming and less effective.
It is hard to compare charter schools to public schools. It is actually even hard to compare one public school to another because of varying resources allotted. How can someone compare a small charter school to a public school with a huge student population? I don’t think it is possible. Small class sizes in charter schools do make them seem like a decent alternative to public schools but is the education any better? I feel that instead of making charter schools that money should be funded into creating more effective public school system
This was a very good article. I think that this is a very difficult topic. This is an on-going debate and their are a lot of good arguments for both. I do like that at charter schools that there is flexibility in ways of how teachers can teach the curriculum. I don’t like thought that the children area picked through lottery. In any school though it really comes down to the teachers. I believe that is the most important aspect in schools for our children’s future that they are learning from amazing teachers.
I think this is a good article. There have been many discussions about this topic. A parent have the right to decide what is good for their children. There are positive aspects and negative aspects. I think that as there are good public school and bad public schools, there are also good charter and bad charter schools. A parent must get informed first before deciding and especially they have to look into their priorities first. What might be good for some students, might not work for others.
I believe public schools are the best way to educate children because it instills a more inclusive and democratic ideal of public education.