Charters v. Public Schools: A False Choice…

     In today’s morass of school choice and conflicting views on education the decades-old debate of charter schools versus traditional public schools persists.  It is a false choice.  We have heard the pros and cons of each countless times, but to recap briefly, here are the generic differences:

     Charters have the independence to choose an academic focus, flexibility to innovate, and greater  curriculum autonomy.  They provide a more personalized, student-focused approach.  Conversely, they offer fewer electives and sports programs on school premises.  Some teachers may not be certified.  Charters receive less government funding than public schools and supplement their programs through partnerships and sponsorships with local universities, small businesses, and large corporations..  

     Traditional public schools hire certified teachers with greater breadth of experience.  They offer numerous academic and elective options, and a buffet of after school sports and clubs.  They have broader on premise staffing to accommodate students with special needs.  On the other hand, standardized curriculum is the norm, developed to align with standardized testing. Traditional public schools receive more government money per student than charters, and also apply for grants.

     Students in both models are required to meet state standards.

     The conflict has gained new traction because recently the Biden administration waded into the fray, proposing that new requirements should be imposed on charter applicants, including affiliation with a local public school and proof of a student population that equitably reflects their respective locations. Should we cap the number of charter schools in the U.S. or change their mandate because traditional public schools are better?  This is the wrong question. It is a false choice.

        In many charter and traditional public schools, testing shows that students do not meet state standards or make effective progress.  These schools fail our children. Other traditional public and charter schools produce mediocre results.  They, too, are unsatisfactory. Clearly, neither charters nor traditional public schools can lay universal claim to student success.

     For answers, we need to look to the schools – charter and traditional public schools alike – that, by every measure, are outstanding. These are schools where children are happy, engaged, motivated, thriving, and succeeding.  Regardless of race, geography, financial status, or any other data point.

     We should not be debating the merits of charters versus public schools.  I repeat, it is a false choice, often driven by the self-interests of politicians and lobbyists of all political stripes.  Instead, educators,     parents, all of us should be conducting a search party for schools that work because these schools - whatever their designation - are good for our children. 

     The questions for educators in these special schools are straight-forward. What do you do?  How do you do it?  What are your core values?  What is the secret sauce that inspires students and imbues them with confidence to achieve and grow strong socially, emotionally, and academically? 

     This is the true choice:  To learn what works from people in schools that work.

     In the coming months, What’s On My Mind will highlight some of these schools. The answers we find will not be hypothetical.  Rather, they will provide a blueprint that, hopefully, kicks off a civilized, national discussion about how we – citizens, teachers, parents, students as well as local, state, and federal officials – can build an intentional 21st century educational culture that empowers our children for college, career, and the future beyond.