1. The INS and OUTS of
Charter Schools
{Pros VS. Cons}
Sha'Quiria Ransom
TEDfd 2013
2. " Learning and innovation go hand in hand.
The arrogance of success is to think that
what you did yesterday will be sufficient for
tomorrow."
- William Pollard
3. {My position}
I believe that Charter Schools are a great
idea. The whole idea of charter schools is
that its a different approach at meeting the
same goals and standards that are required
of regular public schools. Its a "think outside
the box" concept the allows for academic
freedom for not only students but for
teachers as well. I believe that this type of
learning environment is the future; it's where
education is moving towards and in my
honest opinion its amazing!
4. {Background}
Charter Schools are publicly funded schools
established by a Charter between a granting
body and an outside group which operates
the school without most local and state
educational regulations so as to achieve set
goals.
It is a contract between a school board and a group of teachers and parents. Parent
involvement is important!!!!!!!!!!!
5. {The Basics/ Facts}
Charter Schools:
● Are tuition free for all
● Publicly funded by local, state, and federal
tax dollars.
● Held accountable to state and federal
standards
● Smaller classroom size which means
more one on one interaction with teachers
and students.
Operates like a private school but its free like a public school. Anyone regardless of
race, creed, or gender can attend. Funding is based on enrollment, like other public
schools. Although they are allowed academic freedom with curriculum they are still
held accountable for meeting state standards (i.e. passing state tests). Schools can
be closed if they don't live up to the criteria stated in their contract. Although they're
held accountable, the means by which they achieve those standards can be whatever
they choose to be. They don't have to follow the national curriculum. For instance
instead of taking Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, then Trigonometry. You could take
Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry, which logically makes more
sense. Stricter rules, must be on time and follow the dress code.
6. ● Easier access to administrators and
teachers
● Allow more parental involvement
● Stricter rules
The Basics/Facts continued...
7. Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) leads
the pack in charter schools.
KIPP
Successful Charter Schools
Florida has the most Charter schools of any state in the U.S. with a total of 579
Charter schools. Majority of students served are Minorities with 37% Hispanic and
23% African Americans. Other demographics include 35% Caucasian, and 5% other.
8. {KIPP Bridge Charter School}
Charter schools are allowed freedom to be more inventive or original, while being held
accountable for improved student achievement. This video is an example where
ingenious learning methods are used. Here is a teacher at a Charter school in
California who decided to think outside the box and use Khan Academy to teach his
sixth grade math students.
9. { Moving Towards The Future}
Mississippi is now on board with Charter schools. After a two year debate, Mississippi
finally says ok. In my hometown a lot of people are apprehensive about this change,
because they are not familiar with type of school structure. Most of the schools in the
district I attended in Coahoma county are failing and this is a last attempt at
improvement.
10. {The Big Debate}
Critics have three big reasons as to why
Charter schools are a bad idea.
1. Funding
2. Students are not performing any better
than students at regular public schools
3. Not everyone can attend
1. Funding comes from both local and government (tax dollars). Some say that
majority of funding usually comes from a corporation that provides funds in exchange
for advertisement at the school and that if the company isn't advertised at the school
then they won't back up the school with funding.
● Not true most Charter schools are funded by the help of non - profit
organizations or companies known as Education Management
Organizations (EMOs), while non-profit Charter Management
Organizations (CMOs) and other groups such as universities run the
majority.
2.Test scores at most charter schools that have kids who have come from failing
districts are actually better. Why? Because of the different methods teachers use
to teach at Charter schools. Yes sometimes certain tactics don't always work,
however unlike a regular public school, charter schools can keep changing
their methods until they find one that does work. Trial and error is allowed at
Charters more so than traditional public schools.
3. Charter schools are nonsectarian.
● They do not discriminate, everyone is welcome to join.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT ALL OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED
THROUGH PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT! WITHOUT PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
CHARTER SCHOOLS WILL NOT WORK. PARENTS MUST STATE WHAT THEY
WANT FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THE CHARTER (CONTRACT)! FIGHT FOR
YOUR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, NEEDS, AND WANTS BECAUSE ITS THE ONLY
WAY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE HEARD, THAT'S THE MAIN PURPOSE OF
MAKING A CHARTER IN THE FIRST PLACE.
11. {where to go to learn more}
What are charter schools?
Charter school center
Charter Schools That Work
Innovations in Education
12. CREATING HOPE & OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION
THROUGH INNOVATIVE LEARNING!!!
Creating Hope and Opportunity for Education through INNOVATIVE LEARNING!!!!!!!
13. Sources
Ackerman, S. (2011, October 30). More Parents Choosing Charter Schools For
Innovative Education. The Tampa Tribune, p.1. Retrieved from http://tbo.
com/news/more-parents-choosing-charter-schools-for-innovative-education-
299290
Banks, A., Bodkin, C. & Heissel, J. (2011, August). Charter Schools That Work:
Policies & Practices of Effective High-Poverty Charters. Retrieved from http:
//www.ncpublicschools.org/itern-research/reports/highpovertycharters.pdf
Florida Department of Education. (2013, February). Florida's Charter Schools. In
Charter School Program. Retrieved from https://www.floridaschoolchoice.
org/information/charter_schools/files/fast_facts_charter_schools.pdf
Grundy, M. L. (2010, September 23). The Case Against Charter Schools.
Artvoice, (v9n38) p. 1. Retrieved from http://artvoice.
com/issues/v9n38/letters/the_case_against_charter_schools
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. (2013).
14. Rix, K. (2013). Lessons from Charter Schools. Retrieved from http://www.
scholastic.com/teachers/article/lessons-charter-schools
Russom, G. (2010). The Case Against Charter Schools. International
Socialist Review, (71) p. 1. Retrieved from http://www.isreview.
org/issues/71/feat-charterschools.shtml
Strauss, V., Brady, M. (2010, September 22). Are Charter Schools Really
Innovative? The Washington Post, P. 1. Retrieved from
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/charter-schools/are-
charter-schools-really-inn.html
TriFilm Productions (Producer). (2012, August 14). Khan Academy: KIPP
Bridge Charter School [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=t2OBN5a9ZbM
Sources continued...