The large number of schools translates into a dizzying array of choices for families. To name a few, the Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center (grades 9-12) offers horseback riding and agribusiness training; the Edupreneurship Schools (K-8) create a microcosm of American society where every student has a job, earns money (the school's own currency) and operates in the marketplace. "Diversity describes the charter movement in Arizona," says Onnie Shekerjian, president of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. Because charter schools operate in the marketplace, it means consumers need to do their homework to sort out the good from the bad, and the school with the right approach to learning for their child. With so many choices, it can be a daunting task to narrow the field.
Here are some key facts about charter schools and tips on choosing the right option for your child.
What You Need to Know About Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools. Charter schools have fewer restrictions than regular public schools, but like regular public schools they are funded by the state and free of charge to parents. Charter schools on average receive 25% less public funding than regular public schools. Unlike regular public schools, charters do not receive state money for facilities. This makes finding and acquiring a school site challenging for a charter school. In addition, charters do not have the ability to raise money locally through tax overrides, a popular source of funding for regular public schools in Arizona.
Charters are granted in one of three ways: from the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, from the state Board of Education or from any local school district. The system was designed this way so that no one agency would have all the authority over charters, thus allowing for as much choice as possible. "The system was designed so that gaining a charter would be less apt to be governed by politics," says Shekerjian.
Generally charter schools are smaller and more personal. District elementary schools are on average four times as large as charter schools. District high schools are on average 11 times the size of charter high schools. Most charter schools are small, enrolling around 100 students.
Charter schools must have an equitable enrollment process. Because charter schools are public schools, they cannot discriminate in their admissions policies and must accept students, as long as they have room for them, on a first-come, first-served basis. Most charter schools in Arizona do not have waiting lists. If a school does has a waiting list, it's generally a sign that it has a good reputation. If there is a space limitation, the school must have a fair system (usually a lottery) for accepting new students. Charter schools are permitted to give preference to siblings on their waiting lists.
Over 73,000 students in Arizona are in charter schools, representing 8 % of all public school students. Charter schools, representing 29 % of all public schools in the state, have become a popular alternative to district schools.
Charter schools cater to a variety of students. "When the charter law was passed," says Smith, "many worried that charter schools would lure the best and brightest away from public schools. In fact, the opposite was true." The majority of charter schools serve low-performing students, providing an alternative, small-school environment, focusing on the unique needs of students. Some charter schools, such as Tempe Preparatory Academy, with its rigorous curriculum and high standards, cater to high-achieving students.
Surveys conducted in Arizona show that parents as well as teachers are happier in charter schools and students show greater academic gains. A recent Arizona State Board for Charter Schools survey of parents showed that 67% of charter school parents rated their child's school as "A" or "A+," up from 64% in the previous year's survey. In a survey conducted in 2000, only 38% of parents in regular public schools gave their schools an "A" or "A+" rating. Robert Maranto, author of School Choice in the Real World: Lessons from Arizona Charter Schools, visited many schools and interviewed teachers in the course of his research. He saw more "mission dedication" and found that the majority of teachers were happier in charter schools. A study of student performance in Arizona charter schools conducted by the Goldwater Institute, a Phoenix-based think tank, showed "encouraging results," says Smith of IEDX. Overall, students in charter schools showed an average 10% academic gain over similar students in regular public schools. Students in charter schools do consistently better in reading, and, in some cases, perform better in math.
A few charters have closed, generally because of financial problems. The two greatest challenges for charter school operators are controlling their finances and finding suitable facilities for their schools. "It's always big news when a charter closes," says Smith, "but closures represent only a small percentage of the total number of schools." "Arizona's rate of closure of charter schools is no higher than the national average," says Shekerjian.
How to Choose the Right Charter School for Your Child
1. Decide what is most important for your child's education. Is a sports or music program important? Do you care if the school has a well-equipped playground, small classes and a rigorous academic program? A small charter school may offer small classes but no music program or playground, so you will need to weigh what has greater importance. "My son was in a gorgeous public school with 500 kids that had a nice playground but the academics weren't adequate. I transferred him to a charter located in a strip mall with no playground. But there were only 200 kids and the teachers knew every one of them. He went from having problems in reading to becoming a voracious reader in a short amount of time. The playground wasn't that important to me. He can come home and play," says Shekerjian.
2. Search for charter schools that match your criteria. You can check the school's profile on GreatSchools.net and see test scores, teacher experience and student demographics, as well as compare schools according to these categories. You can search for schools by county and criteria on the Charter Schools search section of the Arizona Department of Education Web site and also see the school's annual report card.
3. Make school visits. Once you have narrowed down your list, you will want to make appointments to visit schools. Arrange to talk to the director, teachers and parents. Check the GreatSchools.net School Visit Guide for pointers. Here are some areas to ask about on your visit:
- Curriculum— Does the school have a particular emphasis or philosophy? Ask to see the school's mission statement as well as written grade-level objectives and inquire how these relate to state standards. Ask about specific teaching strategies and decide whether these mesh with your child's learning style. For example, some charter schools offer a back-to-basics approach while others have a hands-on experiential emphasis.
- Teachers— Charter schools are not required to hire certified teachers. Ask how many of the teachers are certified and if they are certified to teach in the subjects they are currently teaching. "But certification may not be as important as you think," says Maranto. "The number of certified teachers may not be as important as the school leadership and the expertise in hiring," he notes. "Art schools may want to hire artists rather than certified teachers." Ask about teacher turnover to ensure that the school has a stable staff. Talk to teachers and ask how they like the school.
- Finances— Ask to see the audited financial statements and the school's budget, including donations to the school. Finances are important because the number one reason for charter school failure is poor fiscal management. "Look at the long-term viability of the school," advises Mary Wolf, an educational consultant in Phoenix. "You won't want to send your child to a school that is headed for closure because of lack of funding."
- Governance— Ask who is on the governing board and how long they have been on the board. "Look for a stable board, not one that is made up of the director and members of the director's family," says Wolf. She suggests checking their meeting schedule and attending a meeting or two to see if the board conducts itself in an orderly and professional manner.
- Enrollment— Beware of schools that have declining enrollments. Some charter schools have had to close mid-year because of declining enrollment and poor fiscal oversight. This is a special risk for schools in their first or second year of operation. "Although it may be exciting to be in a new school, it may take a while for the school to work out the kinks," advises Moranto.
- Parent Involvement— Ask what the expectations are for parent involvement. Attend a parent meeting and talk to parents to get their impression of the school.
A Sampling of Charter Schools in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Online Resources for Charter Schools
Charter Schools Offer an Array of Choices
Getting the Best Education for Your Child in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Nine Key Steps to Choosing a School in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
They've Got Our Attention: Notable Schools in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Arizona State Board for Charter Schools
This Web site offers a parents brochure and FAQs on charter schools in Arizona
Arizona Department of Education
Charter School Liaison
The charter school section of the state Department of Education Web site offers information on laws and accountability as well as general information about charter schools.
Updated July 2005
