Charters both public and accountable
The recent confusion about charter public schools is an unfortunate result of a law that has allowed too few of these public schools to operate in Illinois.
In answer to the question in the March 21 column, "Charter schools: Public or private?" charters are most certainly public schools, serving only public school students.
Charter public schools are open to any student who lives in the district where they operate. They are prohibited from having any entrance exams or selective enrollment requirements.
Charter public schools receive public funds on a per pupil basis, often less than the amount spent in other public schools.
On the whole, charter schools serve the same demographics as the other public schools in their community. In exchange for strict public accountability, administrators and teachers in charter public schools enjoy academic flexibility to take innovative approaches and adapt curriculums to meet their students' complex learning needs.
Charters are governed by an independent board of directors, responsible to the parents, teachers and students served by the school. These boards, which often include parents and teachers, must also answer to the public school district in which they operate, and charter students are held to the same state standards as other public school students.
Charters were created to give life to the best ideas in a given community. They empower local community members to create the best public school for their needs. Many of Illinois' charters were founded by dedicated public school teachers with new ideas and an entrepreneurial drive to educate public school students.
This dual accountability for charter public schools -- to those who choose to attend as well as to the school district administration -- provides a strong framework for transparency and long-term success. We commend the Pingree Grove community for holding their public schools accountable.
Elizabeth Evans
Executive director
Illinois Network of
Charter Public Schools
Chicago