Charter Schools
Taking a Position Paper
Charter schools were introduced as an alternative way of learning and have grown in numbers over the years. They are considered non-religious public schools operating under a contract, or charter, which governs its operations. In Arizona, the charter school effort has sold itself as a safe alternative for middle-class families looking for avoiding the network of under funded neighborhood schools. Charter schools are a good alternative means within the public school system for parents to look into. The teachers bring an increase in innovative methods that provide creative ways of teaching the students. Another purpose is having the teachers, both new in the system and ones that have experience, be responsible for their own education program and teaching methods. Teachers and student both get the opportunity to explore new ways of learning, different from how the traditional schools must teach their curriculum.
Traditional public schools system needs to rise to meet the standards and responsive or willing enough to make the changes it needs to be more effective. The number of students will increase and go to charter schools if the traditional public schools stay on the same academic state guidelines, which cover what they can teach and how children are evaluated.
The biggest drawback is how the funds are distributed for charter vs. public schools in Arizona. The cost of operating charter schools is covered by the state, which already gives charter schools nearly twice the funding per pupil than it gives to district public schools; although, the public schools raise additional money through voter-approved bonds and other measures if passed by the voters. The only benefit of charter schools in Arizona is that some are positioned in southern and central Phoenix, where the poverty rate is higher and more frequent, often including Latino families. The demographic trends show that it is expected for minorities to become the majority in
Charter schools were introduced as an alternative way of learning and have grown in numbers over the years. They are considered non-religious public schools operating under a contract, or charter, which governs its operations. In Arizona, the charter school effort has sold itself as a safe alternative for middle-class families looking for avoiding the network of under funded neighborhood schools. Charter schools are a good alternative means within the public school system for parents to look into. The teachers bring an increase in innovative methods that provide creative ways of teaching the students. Another purpose is having the teachers, both new in the system and ones that have experience, be responsible for their own education program and teaching methods. Teachers and student both get the opportunity to explore new ways of learning, different from how the traditional schools must teach their curriculum.
Traditional public schools system needs to rise to meet the standards and responsive or willing enough to make the changes it needs to be more effective. The number of students will increase and go to charter schools if the traditional public schools stay on the same academic state guidelines, which cover what they can teach and how children are evaluated.
The biggest drawback is how the funds are distributed for charter vs. public schools in Arizona. The cost of operating charter schools is covered by the state, which already gives charter schools nearly twice the funding per pupil than it gives to district public schools; although, the public schools raise additional money through voter-approved bonds and other measures if passed by the voters. The only benefit of charter schools in Arizona is that some are positioned in southern and central Phoenix, where the poverty rate is higher and more frequent, often including Latino families. The demographic trends show that it is expected for minorities to become the majority in
Cited: "2012-2013 Average Starting Teacher Salaries by State." Rss. National Education Association, Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. "2012-2013 Average Starting Teacher Salaries by State." Rss. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. "Charter Schools: Finding out the Facts: At a Glance " Center for Public Education. N.p., Mar. 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. Santos, Fernanda. "Arizona Hopes New Charter Schools Can Lift Poor Phoenix Area." New York Times 17 Jan. 2014: A12(L). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.