In Pennsylvania, charter schools are public schools created by a “charter” with the local school board. Charter schools are alternates to the traditionl public schools. With adaptability, influence, and accountability to modernize in exchange for greater culpability for results, charter schools provide a high level of student learning. The legal agreement detailing the school’s vision, agendas, method of educational evaluations, funding, and measures of success is a part of their pre-established agreement. While being free from countless state regulations, students in charter schools take state tests like other public school students in order to valuate the student’s growth. Charter Schools, however, must comply with the laws protecting civil rights and student health and safety. Same rules apply in expulsion of students that a hearing need to be held prior any action. In addition, special education laws are applicable. Charter schools cannot discriminate admission for students, they are selected by lottery. Charter schools generally offer teachers and students more authority to make decisions than most public schools. In fact, Charter schools increase the number of tuition free educational options for students. However, some believe that charter schools, instead of being accountable for results, they are accountable for upholding their charter. In Pennsylvania, an application must be established through school board of the district in which the school will be located. If rejected, the applicant can appeal to the states Charter Appeals Board (CAB). That being said, is there a demand for a charter school?
There is no questioning the demand for charter schools. The opposition has successfully convinced the public otherwise, however. There has been a wide gap between charter school supply and demand. In the past five years, the number of students nationwide has grown by 80 percent (National Alliance for Public Charter Schools), while the number of new schools has grown by only 40 percent in that time. Most charter associations say they lack the space to adequately meet their current and future enrollment needs (Education Week, 12/1/13). The credibility of the “waiting list” can also be questioned. The waiting list of 19,000 students in Philadelphia for better charter schools, even though there was availability in lower performing schools. This leads us to realize that there is a need to meet demand and improve on high performing charter facilities. The demand for these schools is highly recognized. The number of students enrolled in public charter schools across Pennsylvania is 19,000. This represents 6% of the entire k-12 student population. There are 44,000 children currently on Pennsylvania charter school waiting list. The percentage of students in Philadelphia School District that attend public charter schools are 25%. Many states have caps on the number of charter schools allowed so funding is significantly less. The quality of authorizing and oversight has been uneven across the country. Pennsylvania has 135 charter schools that constitute 4.2 percent of all public schools.
Within the effects of the overall economy, education is the core component to any society, and its choice is central to a free society. The greatest advantage to having a charter school is that it is an entrepreneurial endeavor. Communities who feel that they are not getting the best education from the standard public or private school system forms them. Because they are supported with public funds, but allowed to be independent, charter schools can be a retreat for educational advances. Free by regulations that tie other public schools, charter schools are able to find and use teaching philosophies that work for the local community. The need to show parents that they are successful at educating their children is crucial. Competition is encouraged and promotes better practices with the school and encourages the school to
