http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/Charter_Schools/
Charter schools are public schools of choice, and are among the fastest growing school choice options in Florida. Since 1996, the number of charter schools in Florida has grown from 5 to 333 schools in 2005-2006. Charter school student enrollment for 2005-2006 was well over 92,000 students. Over 50 new charter schools have opened in the 2005-2006 school year.
Charter schools are independent public schools designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, and others. They are sponsored by local or state educational organizations who monitor their quality and effectiveness but allow them to operate outside of the traditional system of public schools, providing a greater measure of innovation and choice for students. There is considerable debate as to the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of charter schools, with much of the discussion centered on accountability measures. Yet their continued growth and general public interest in these school programs seem to indicate some measure of success and enjoyment. A few “Quick Facts” about Charter Schools from the Education Commission of the States:
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As of October 2005, there are 3,600 charter schools open in the United States. The states with the most charter schools are California (592), Arizona (449), Florida (326), Texas (259) and Ohio (277). (The Center for Education Reform, National Charter School Data At-A-Glance, October 2005)
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Charter Schools currently enroll 2% of all students attending public schools, serving 900,000 students. (Education Commission of the States, A State Policymaker’s Guide to Alternative Authorizers of Charter Schools, 2005)
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According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2000, 53.6 % of students attending Charter schools were minority students, 50.5% were male and 49.5% were female. (National Center for Education Statistics, Schools and Staffing Survey)
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Although charter laws vary from state to state, in general Charter schools can be authorized by four general agencies: the local school board, state universities, community colleges and the state board of education. (U.S. Charter Schools, Answers to Frequently Asked Questions)
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According to the Center for Education Reform's, 2005 State by State National Assessment of Educational Progress, overall national performance for 8th graders was as follows: Reading: 29% Proficient & above, 42% Basic, 29% Below basic Math: 29% Proficient & above, 39% Basic, 32% Below basic
The Education Commission of the States page on Charter Schools (http://www.ecs.org/html/issue.asp?issueid=20) contains a wealth of fairly well-balanced information about charter schools, and additional links for more information. You can also browse our Educational Choice links for more resources to help you decide if a charter school is a good choice for your family.
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