Home schooling is growing in popularity throughout
North America and this increased interest may be attributed to several
factors; the desire to broaden the parent-child relationship, disagreement
with the public school philosophy of education and refusal to send students
to schools in other communities. Defined as any formal education that
takes place within the home, home schooling gives parents the opportunity
to have an individually structured curriculum that corresponds with their
own philosophical or religious beliefs. Home schooling offers parents
the unique ability to have a greater influence in the education of their
children. It also provides a new view of family life and its responsibilities.
Alternative schools have taken hold across the globe. The United Kingdom
has implemented a system that allows schools to be locally managed, thus
allowing parents the opportunity to direct the education of their children.
New Zealand and, to a lesser degree, Australia have implemented a charter
school system across the board. Unlike Alberta, schools in New Zealand
are responsible for raising the bulk of their operating costs. At the
end of Chapter 3 we will briefly, look at initiatives taken in these countries
and some of the results.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools granted autonomy by an authorizing
body, substantially deregulated and wholly governed by their own charter
boards. A performance-based contract is reviewed on a regular basis In
order for the charter to be renewed. 1
Charter schools are public schools financed on the same per pupil basis
as regular schools. They are intended to complement the educational services
provided in the local public school system. Charter schools are intended
to allow parents and educators the freedom to create new learning environments
for children within the public sphere.2
A charter school is governed by a charter; that is, an agreement between
a school board and/or the Minister of Education and an individual or group
regarding the establishment and the administration of a school. A charter
essentially describes the unique educational service that a school will
provide.
It outlines how the school will operate, and identifies the intended student
outcomes. In North America, charter schools cannot charge for tuition,
teach religion, or discriminate in admissions. In order to retain their
charter, schools are rigorously monitored and must meet all specified
performance standards. It is also vital that they continue to attract
students.3
Charter schools are generally intended to promote hands-on learning,
smaller class sizes, and greater parental involvement. They can be seen
as a way to introduce diversity and options into the public school system
where traditionally there have been few. A charter basically challenges
the exclusive franchise of regular public schools in hopes that it will
stimulate change.4 Charter schools allow for new educational ideas to
get a test run. There are rigorous assessments so that the results of
school innovations can be made available to be studied and replicated.5
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