Charter School Benefits
- The educational program is uniquely tailored to each school and community it serves.
- All budget and personnel decisions are made at the school level.
- Charter schools have a multi-tiered accountability system that includes parents, authorizers, the state, and lenders.
- Charter schools thrive with an active community of parents.
- Teachers at charter schools are not unionized.
Charter School Facts
- There are more than 7,800 charter schools nationwide educating more than 3.7 million children.
- The Colorado Charter Schools Act was passed in 1999.
- There are 265 charter schools in Colorado educating more than 134,000 children (more than 15 percent of total public school enrollment in the state).
- Colorado charter, public school kids outperform non-charter school students on state assessments.
- There are 17 charter schools in Douglas County.
- While charters are not required to hire licensed teachers, BFA is proud that all of our teachers are fully licensed.
Charter School Myths
FACT: Charter schools are public schools. >>> MYTH: Charter schools “drain money from district public schools.
The money that follows the students who choose to attend charter schools remains in the public education system. In Douglas County, a portion of the per pupil revenue passed along to a charter school remains with the school district.
FACT: The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) does not require that a charter school teacher have a teaching license. >>> MYTH: Charter school teachers must be licensed.
Charter schools are required to comply with all other NCLB requirements regarding “Highly Qualified Teachers.” This provides charter schools the freedom to hire the most qualified and committed teachers who come from diverse professional backgrounds and are passionate about teaching.
FACT: Charter schools may not limit admission to pupils on the basis of ability. >>> MYTH: Charter schools accept only the “cream of the crop” and reject under performing students.
Charter schools are open to all and cannot require entrance exams. When enrollment requests exceed the number of seats available, charter schools may utilize a lottery or a combination of lottery and first come/first served waiting lists to determine who will attend.
FACT: Charter schools are a relatively new and innovative part of the public school system. >>> MYTH: Charter schools endanger the public school system.
The entire public school system is strengthened when choices such as charter schools are available to students and families. When families are empowered to make decisions about their child’s education, ownership, parental involvement and accountability are increased. Having a choice is beneficial for all.
FACT: Charter schools serve a broad range of diverse students. >>> MYTH: Charter schools are not open to all students.
Charter schools serve low income, racial and ethnic minorities, and students with disabilities or other special needs.