What exactly IS a charter school?
| CHARTER SCHOOLS |  |
| IN TEXAS |
Charter schools were authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1995 to provide an alternative to traditional public schools. Texas has a 215 state cap on charters. To date, open enrollment charters serve approximately 103,000 students on over 460 campuses across the state. (Based on a snapshot taken in October 2008 by the Texas Education Agency, TEA.)
In the state of Texas, Charter schools operate under and receive academic accountability ratings from the TEA. All charter students in Texas take the same Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test as traditional public school students. Beginning 2012, the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.
Enrollment in Texas charter schools has increased. Last year, there were over 40,000 students on waiting lists for charter schools.* Where space at a charter school is limited, admission is frequently allocated by lottery-based admissions.
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Charter schools are public schools that have the flexibility to adapt to the educational needs of individual students. Charter schools vary in mission and models, serving a wide range of students many with needs beyond the one-size-fits all traditional public school. Charter schools often provide a more structured learning environment that promotes greater student discipline. In exchange for some autonomy, charter schools have increased accountability, and must meet the testing standards dictated by the state. On charter campuses, school leaders are permitted more freedom in managing their school, allowing them to respond in the best interest of both parents and students. |
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Teachers at charter schools are encouraged to structure lessons to the specific needs of their students. Some charter schools even provide curriculum that specializes in a certain field such as the arts, mathematics or science. Others provide a more efficient, general education based on the educational model set forth in the charter.
Charter schools offer quality non-traditional public education options.
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How are charter schools funded? Charter schools receive state funds based on the average daily attendance of students (same as traditional public schools); however, they do not receive funds from local tax revenue and the majority, including Texas Charters, do not receive state facilities funding. The latest available TEA Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) report from 2008-2009 shows that Katy Independent School District received $9,611 per student while Aristoi Classical Academy received $7,055 per student in the same year. That constitutes a total of $766,800 more in Katy ISD for the same number of students at Aristoi Classical Academy. This year, state budget cuts have reduced the per student funding at Aristoi to $5,225. |
What is the purpose of charter schools?**
- Improve student learning
- Increase the choice of learning opportunities within the public school system
- Create professional opportunities that will attract new teachers to the public school system
- Establish a new form of accountability
- Encourage different and innovative learning methods
*Texas Public Policy Foundation. "Charter Schools in Texas: The Waiting Lists Grow Longer." December, 2009.
**Texas Education Code ยง 12.001
