charter schools in north carolina
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Charter Schools in North Carolina. An overview. What is a Charter School?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Charter Schools in North Carolina
An overview
What is a Charter School?
Charter School: A charter school is a tuition-free public school created on the basis of a license or “charter” made with the State Board of Education or an institute of higher learning. A charter school has more freedom than a traditional public school in return for a commitment to meet state standards of accountability.
How is a Charter School funded?
Public tax dollars are the primary funding sources for charter schools. Local, state, and federal dollars fund charter schools in the same way traditional public schools are funded. The schools have open enrollment with no discrimination, no religious associations, and no tuition.
National Charter School Definition
Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance [license] detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. (US Charter Schools - website)
Benefits of Charter Schools: According to the US Charter Schools website
The intention of most charter school legislation is to:
Increase opportunities for learning and access to quality education for all students
Create choice for parents and students within the public school system
Provide a system of accountability for results in public education
Encourage innovative teaching practices
Create new professional opportunities for teachers
Encourage community and parent involvement in public education
Leverage improved public education broadly
From: http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/o/index.htm
NC Charter School Law§ 115C‑238.29A. Purpose.The purpose of this Part is to authorize a system of charter schools to provide opportunities for
teachers, parents, pupils, and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently of existing schools, as a method to accomplish all of the following:
(1) Improve student learning;(2) Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on expanded
learning experiences for students who are identified as at risk of academic failure or academically gifted;
(3) Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
Charter School Law Continued
(4) Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunities to be responsible for the learning program at the school site;
(5) Provide parents and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system; and
(6) Hold the schools established under this Part accountable for meeting measurable student achievement results, and provide the schools with a method to change from rule‑based to performance‑based accountability systems. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 731, s. 2.)
For additional information see: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/policy/legislation
How long can each charter school operate?
The initial charter is granted for up to 10 years with a 5 year review. At the end of each 10 year period, including a 5 year review, charter schools must go through a renewal process, which may grant yet another 10 year term.
How Are Charter Schools Operated?
Each school is operated by a Board of Directors. They set the policies and procedures for their school. Of course, no school could operate without the support of the families and the school community!
What are the qualifications for charter school teachers?
All charter school core subject teachers must be highly qualified as outlined by Federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
North Carolina state statute requires 75% of charter school teachers in elementary school to be licensed while 50% in middle and high school must be licensed.
Do all charter schools use the same curriculum?
The Board of Directors for each charter school chooses the school’s curriculum which is approved by the State Board of Education. Charter schools are not required to follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS), however, students are assessed using the same tests as other schools which correlate to the NCSCOS.
Do charter schools take the state mandated ABCs tests?
Yes. All charter schools are required to take the state mandated tests. For charter schools test results please visit http://abcs.ncpublicschools.org/abcs.
How much does it cost to attend a Charter School?
Charter Schools are tuition free. They are public schools and funding for the schools come from federal, state, and local taxes.
Schools must have obtained non-profit status from the state of North Carolina prior to opening.
What are the requirements for acceptance into a charter school?
The only requirement for enrollment into a charter school is the availability at the school in the requested grade.
How do I enroll my child in a charter school?
Charter schools have open enrollment but may have a cap on the number of students served. If the school has more applicants than available slots, an open lottery must be instituted to fill the remaining spots. Parents must contact each individual school to see if they have openings, and obtain an application. For a list of schools, please visit http://www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/schools/.
Can my child attend a charter school outside our district?
There is no districting for charter schools; students from any North Carolina county may attend any charter school providing there is space available for the student in the school.
Charter Schools by County2007-2008 School Year
County Number of Schools
Alamance 3
Avery 2
Beaufort 1
Brunswick 1
Buncombe 3
Burke 1
Cabarrus 1
Carteret 2
Chatham 2
Columbus 1
Cherokee 1
Cumberland 1
Durham 8
Forsyth 5
Franklin 1
Gaston 2
Guilford 3
Henderson 1
Iredell 3
Jackson 1
Johnston 1
Lee 1
Lenoir 2
Charter Schools by County 2007-2008 School Year
Lincoln 1
Mecklenburg 10
Moore 2
Nash 1
New Hanover 2
Northampton 1
Orange 2
Pamlico 1
Person 2
Robeson 1
Rockingham 1
Rutherford 1
Scotland 1
Stanly 1
Surry 1
Swain 1
Transylvania 1
Union 1
Charter Schools by County 2007-2008 School Year
Vance 1
Wake 13
Warren 1
Watuaga 1
Wayne 1
Wilkes 1
Wilson 1
Total: 98
Charter Schools in North Carolina
There is currently a cap of 100 charter schools in North Carolina serving over 27,000 students.
Who do I contact? Mr. Jack Moyer, Director
Dr. Jackie Womble Jenkins [email protected]
Carl F. Pridgen, [email protected]
Vacant (1/08), [email protected]
Jean Kruft, [email protected]
Dorothy Heath, [email protected]
Janice Ham Administrative Assistant
919.807.3491 [email protected]
Photo CreditsSlide 1: The Evergreen School
Slide 2: Hope Elementary
Slide 3: The Academy of Moore County
Slide 4: Cape Fear Center for Inquiry
Slide 5: Brevard Academy
Slide 6: Franklin Academy
Slide 7: Magellan Charter
Slide 8: East Wake Academy
Slide 9: Carolina International
Slide 10: Healthy Start Academy
Slide 11: SPARC Academy
Slide 12: Alpha Academy
Slide 13: Sugar Creek
Slide 14: American Renaissance Middle
Slide 15: Sallie B. Howard
Slide 16: Maureen Joy
Slide 18: Exploris Middle School
Slide 19: Children’s Community
Slide 20: American Renaissance Charter
Slide 21: Raleigh Charter High School
Slide 22: Tiller School
Slide 23: Millennium