Charter & Other Free Online High Schools – Part 1
You know, when I introduced this series on distance learning options for homeschoolers, I quickly realized that I needed to take more time to research it, because the information I was finding was confusing. Well…I’ve researched & guess what – I’m still confused!
I decided to begin with charter schools because they are such a popular topic and misunderstood, even by many homeschoolers. My plan of attack is to try to coherently share what I’ve learned, give you some questions to think about if you are considering a charter or other “free” online school and some links to resources so that you can be as confused as I am. 
This will probably require a two part post. Lets go.
Why were charter schools started?
Charter schools began in the early 1990’s in response to the obvious problems with our public education system. Advocates claim that the competition of charter schools will force the traditional public schools to “shape up” and produce better results in order to keep their students and the state money they receive for each student.
The premise is that charter schools can deliver programs adapted to the needs of the children and thereby provide educational excellence. According edreform.com, they “are one of the fastest and most successful growing [educational] reforms in the country”.
What is a charter school?
Simply put, charter schools are public schools, plain and simple. They are funded by tax-payer dollars. Because they receive government money, the government can and does dictate how the money is spent, what will be taught and what won’t be taught. While many charter schools begin with little interference, the growing trend is toward increasing regulation, especially in the area of religious instruction.
State laws regarding charter schools vary significantly and not all states have laws allowing the formation of charter schools. (To find out about more about charter schools in your state click here.)
- Most can be formed by members of the community.
- They are allowed greater freedom from the regulations and bureaucratic red-tape applied to traditional public schools.
- Most charters are required to give standardized tests to their students as an assessment of performance.
- The schools are held accountable for their academic progress by the government, be it the local school board or the state. If they don’t measure up, they are closed.
A charter school can be a physical ‘brick & mortar” school. Some states require certified teachers, others will allow “experts” in a given field to teach even if they are not certified.
There are two major enticements to the brick and mortar charter schools:
- A smaller teacher to student ratio.
- More flexibility in curriculum choice than the regular public school. Some offer traditional public school curriculum while others focus and arrange their programs around a particular area of interest such as fine arts or science.
There are also schools designed for students who are not challenged by the regular school program, who are at risk for dropping out, who have behavioral or substance abuse problems, who want to go to college, and second chance schools for those who dropped out and now want to complete their education.
Virtual charter schools, where all work is done via the internet, are growing in popularity. The big lure with the virtual schools is the promise of a free computer and internet access and having your child at home. Traditional homeschoolers are heavily “targeted” in the promotion of the virtual charter school because they can still keep their kids at home. However, there is a certified teacher who oversees and controls everything. In other words, it is the creation of a little public school in the home.
Other distance learning alternatives:
Magnet Schools – Magnet schools are also part of the public school system. They are similar to charter schools, except they are an actual extension of the public school administration that created them. For an enlightening (tongue in cheek!) explanation of magnet schools read the Public School Review description.
Online High Schools – There are four basic types of online high schools
- Charter schools
- Online public high schools which are public high schools online (sorry, but I didn’t know how else to say it).
- They are not available in all states.
- Some offer full curriculum, others only offer supplemental courses.
- Not all offer diplomas.
- Most meet basic state and national requirements.
- Private online high schools which are not government funded and can be costly to attend. (More about these later.)
- University Sponsored High Schools (this was a new one to me). Costs vary from school to school, as do admission policies and requirements. Some allow students to earn some college credits while working on high school.
Seems to be a good stopping point for today. Will pick it up again with part 2 of free distance learning options next time.
Confused?
Sue
