Are Charter Schools Alternative Education?

Charter Schools - Are They Alt Ed? 

Charter schools seem to be enigmatic.  You hear from some that they are the most wonderful place for their children, and others tell you they are monstrous places that do not live up to the expectations and demands of a regular public school.  

 

So why are they still growing in number, and more people entering lotteries to place their children in them?   

And, what makes them Alternative Education? 

 

Honestly, Any form of education that is not mainstream education is alternative education.   However, this does not mean that the departments of education in every state believe that charter schools should be placed under that category.  In many states, Homeschooling is not placed under alternative education, either.  

 

But, the general term for Alternative Education is - - - well, maybe it is except when we begin to make it more political? Or, perhaps it deserves its own category as it has grown exceptionally?  Or are the unions doing the talking (another aspect of the argument against charter schools)?

 

But, let’s define what a charter school is, first.  

According to PublicCharters.org:  

 

Charter schools are independently-operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. All charter schools operate under a contract with a charter school authorizer – usually a nonprofit organization, government agency, or university – that holds them accountable to the high standards outlined in their “charter.” It is common to see charter schools led by former teachers who wanted to take the lessons they learned in the classroom and apply those lessons to an entire school.

 

So, why wouldn’t it be considered Alt Ed? It bears all the hallmarks of Alternative Education…

 

Well, We’ll figure it out! 

 

Charter Schools are Alt Ed - but they’re not.  Here’s why:

1.  Charter Schools fall under the umbrella of Alternative Education in some states not all, depending on the state’s definition of Alt Ed, and how they view Charter Schools
2. Charter Schools are an alternative from mainstream education.
3. Charter Schools are designed around a theme, and students are enrolled to engage in that theme.
4. Alternative Education programs can be designed thematically, as well, but curriculum is usually designed to meet regular standards and made to be accessible for the students who come in.
5. Curriculum at the Charter Schools has thematically designed curriculum and engages the students similarly as alternative classrooms
6. Parents and families are usually very engaged in Charter Schools
7. Many students in alternative programs come from homes where the parents/families are surviving, doing the best they can, but are not always able to support their student academically.
8. Both have a lower teacher to student ratio.
9. Both can be contracted with the local school district on a contract.
10. While both can be academically rigorous, alternative schools/programs tend to work with students to help fill in their learning gaps, work with the whole student and create student-centred curriculum with which the student finds success.
11. Charter School students tend to be more on a college track while alternative students can do this, they may tend to venture more toward blue-collar work. 
12. Both serve students of color - but Charter Schools are pointed to as being in positions of segregation with more students of color going to these sites rather than remaining in the mainstream - so district leaders fret about losing diversity. 
13. Charter Schools are more easily conducted as online than a typical alternative program - which tends to be personalized, personable, and there. 
14. Charter Schools tend to not need social service presence for its students as much as most alternative schools require.
15.  

 

Here are some interesting reads on Charter Schools:

 

Supreme Court likely to Drop Voucher Bombshell

 

What the Teachers Unions Don’t Want You to Know About Charter Schools

 

Charter School Effects on Segregation

 

Choice without Equity: Charter School: Segregation and the Need for Civil Rights Standards

Can We Stop Fighting About Charter Schools?

 

Oregon School Choice Roadmap

 

What is a Charter School?

 

Charter Schools vs Alternative Schools

 

Understanding Charter Schools vs Public Schools

 

The Real Reason Teachers Unions Oppose Charter Schools