charter vs. public schools

[BigL]

What's the big difference?

[lwelch70]

I went to a public school myself. Had multiple friends that went to a private catholic school up until high school (that's as high as it went). Not sure if being at the charter school had an impact on learning skills for they all finished scattered throughout our graduating class GPA wise. I can say this, coming to public school was a big deal to those guys. It seemed like they couldn't wait to get to high school.

Overall, I think the private charter schools create a comradery but it is easily broken when placed into public education because then the kids are able to freely develop into where they fit.

Not sure if everyone feels this way and I hope I'm not confusing. Typing on my phone is a pain.

[BigL]

I went to a public school myself. Had multiple friends that went to a private catholic school up until high school (that's as high as it went). Not sure if being at the charter school had an impact on learning skills for they all finished scattered throughout our graduating class GPA wise. I can say this, coming to public school was a big deal to those guys. It seemed like they couldn't wait to get to high school.

Overall, I think the private charter schools create a comradery but it is easily broken when placed into public education because then the kids are able to freely develop into where they fit.

Not sure if everyone feels this way and I hope I'm not confusing. Typing on my phone is a pain.

You're not confusing but I want to be clear that charter schools are not private. Charter schools are public schools. They receive the same funding per student as public schools. The difference is that charter schools don't receive the tax money or have the ability to do bonds for new buildings. They have to teach the same material and students have to take the same state mandated tests.

The big difference is that charter schools are usually smaller classes and the teachers have more freedom to teach to each kid's level.

Here's my dilemma, there is a charter school in Georgetown called the Gateway College Preparatory School. It's a very good charter school. We know 2 families who send their kids there and they are VERY happy with the school. We have been on the wait list (they have 550 kids on the waitlist) and just got a spot. The school my son goes to is also a very good public elementary school. The problem I have with that public school is that they teach the kids basically how to take the standardized tests. They rarely go off script for taking that test.

My son has ADHD and is reading 2 levels above his grade level so he gets bored often and gets disruptive in class. Instead of them challenging him to keep him interested, they can't because that doesn't follow the script they have for the standardized tests, they basically label him as a trouble maker for being disruptive in class and do things like take away recess, send him to the principal's office, etc. So in my eyes he's being punished for being ahead of the class academically. My hope with the charter school is that since they don't follow a script as public schools do, the teachers will have a lot more flexibility in challenging him if the grade level material isn't enough to keep him focused at the task at hand.

Since there are so many teachers/coaches on here, I'm hoping one will know if charter schools can go off script for each kid.

[lwelch70]

Oh...I misread the subject. My apologies. Hence my comparison to private education.

I went to a small town school and was in mostly A.P. classes so I cannot attest to the teaching to standardized tests in public education. What I can tell you, is that in advanced placement classes, I rarely saw a teacher not challenge us to excel. It may be something to think about with your sons current level and aptitude to learn. The AP courses are ways to earn college credit. That being said, the standardized tests are generally already passed by the time you get into a full schedule of AP courses. In freshman and sophomore year, my school offered Pre-AP classes that still prepared you for the standard tests, but had more focus on advanced curriculum to prepare for the AP tests (which are the final scoring tests that determines how many hours of college credit the student will receive). This was mostly due to the fact that the educators knew the students that were excelling in Pre-AP courses more than likely would not have a problem at all with passing the, at that time, TAKS test.

I'm not sure how the public system is structured in your school district, but I anticipate it to be similar if in Texas.

Have you heard of or considered such advanced classes?

[lwelch70]

Nobody has any advice on it?

[Javelin]

as a high school teacher I cant speak for elementary but I can say for me at least, I do NOT teach to a test. I teach within the TEKS that the state says I must cover, but I teach whatever and however I feel the kids need it. If a current event is going on and my kids ask me, I take that as "a teachable moment" and tell them why it should be important to them or how it could affect them. I don't even mention a test till about 3 weeks before at which time I do review them for it by going through old released tests and teach them how they write the questions and how they should be answered.

[ladrones]

My daughter went to a charter school from K-4th grade. It was a year around charter and the kids were required to wear uniforms. The super of the charter was very well respected by all of his staff and they worked hard to make the charter a success. The charter scored high on the state report card. I moved my family for work so she now goes to a school where we live.

Keep in mind the parent has an important role to play regarding any schools success or failure. So you must be involved.

The last I checked the charter is not doing so well these days. The super retired and the new leadership has not been able to transition very well.

[Javelin]

My daughter went to a charter school from K-4th grade. It was a year around charter and the kids were required to wear uniforms. The super of the charter was very well respected by all of his staff and they worked hard to make the charter a success. The charter scored high on the state report card. I moved my family for work so she now goes to a school where we live.

Keep in mind the parent has an important role to play regarding any schools success or failure. So you must be involved.

The last I checked the charter is not doing so well these days. The super retired and the new leadership has not been able to transition very well.

This is the truest statement EVER. One more thing I will add is that the only charter I am familiar with cannot pay their teachers near what nearby public schools can (I am not familiar with how much money they get to work with) so what they tend to get are first year teachers or teachers that have been unable to hold a job. Now I have no idea if all charters are like that or not, but the one I have seen is.

[Todd-ty729]

This is Mrs. ty729.

I am an elementary school teacher. I have taught for 11 years. My first year was at a charter school where I was doing an internship to receive my certification through an alternative certification program. It was the worst experience of my life. The administration of the school was awful! Students were either gifted or were failing in their public school, and parents thought a charter school was the answer. There were no special education services or gifted and talented services. State tests were an issue and students were prepped for them at the school.

I have been at an exemplary public school campus for the last 10 years. I have taught 4th and 3rd grades and have never taught to the test, however, some teachers do prep students. It will totally depend on the teacher. Regardless of teaching to the test or not, all students must become familiar with the language and format of the test. Vocabulary, wording of questions, and format can completely throw a student off of a concept they totally understand how to do. For example: referring to a story as a selection, referring to a math problem as a numerical equation, etc. It's amazing the difference one word can make to the comprehension of the question.

In my district (Lewisville ISD) differentiation is required. There is no script! Last year I had 3 different levels of math groups in my class and up to 5 different reading groups. I am the only teacher in the room, and let me tell you it is HARD to keep up with it all. Every teacher has parents who claim their child is bored in class because their needs aren't being met and are therefore disruptive. Sometimes this is the case and sometimes not. I hope you have discussed this issue with teachers so you have a true picture of what is going on before making a big decision. Reading 2 levels above grade level wouldn't necessarily explain disruptions during math, science and social studies as these should contain new subject matter your child doesn't yet know. If your child already knows everything being taught or performs above grade level in all areas, you might consider having him tested for a gifted and talented program which would better serve his needs. I have several students a year who are far above grade level in reading but aren't bored in class, and some students, regardless of level and choices offered, who are bored no matter what and just hate school. Again, I just hope you have discussed this concern with his teachers.

And FYI for everyone out there...the STAAR test is hard at the elementary level! It is not a minimum standards test. Your C students have a difficult time, and even gifted students are not receiving commended scores. In some cases it is above the developmental capabilities of students and changes need to occur with it. State tests are not an accurate measure of a child's learning and do not allow teachers the freedom to teach how they really want to teach! Teachers will have to teach to this test unlike TAKS.

[Horitexan]

I don't think you can get the info you're seeking from anyone other than teachers or parents at the particular charter school you're looking at. Every school (public, private, charter, etc) is going to be different - teachers & admin. Your best bet is to sit down with the principal, and hopefully some potential teachers, and express your concerns - see what they say about what they can do for your child. I think a face-to-face meeting gives you a lot more insight because you can see if their eyes and body language matches the words exiting their mouths.

See if they can provide some parents you ban contact to find out about THEIR experiences and impressions.

From what I've heard about charter schools, I would think they are more suited to deal with your son's issues. They seem to have more freedom to adapt (in general) than a public school. But, as I said earlier, every school is different.

We are in the same boat (ADHD) with one of ours. If we had a charter school available, we'd be taking a hard look at it.

Good luck!! I'm sure you'll choose the right one.

[yaqui]

Charter vs Public

The only thing that matters are parents that care about the education and well being of their child. You can have a great school, but a parent that doesn't care, and the child won't do well.