Parents Snapshot

A Quick Snapshot for Parents: About Public Charter Schools

How are public charter schools different?
Public Charter Schools are independent public schools that are free to be more innovative and are held accountable for improved student achievement.

They foster a partnership between parents, teachers and students to create an environment in which parents can be more involved, teachers are given the freedom to innovate and students are provided the structure and individualized attention they need to learn.

A More Structured Learning Environment
Charter schools are mission-focused schools. For example, across New Mexico we have schools that focus on the culinary arts, performing arts, military partnerships and that work with students who do not perform well in more traditional settings. At their best, charter schools provide a more structured learning environment, greater student discipline and increased parental involvement.

Improved Student Achievement
Charter schools are granted certain waivers from state laws and public school codes. In exchange for more autonomy, they are held more accountable for improving student achievement.

Increased Flexibility
School leaders are permitted more flexibility when managing their school, allowing them to respond to parents and students needs. Charter schools hire and fire their own personnel, manage their own budgets and report to their own board of directors.

Rewarded Quality
High quality teachers are rewarded for their excellent service. Teachers in charter schools must be certified by the state and meet federal requirements for highly qualified status.

Increased Options
Charter schools give parents public school options when it comes to where to send their child to school. Any child may attend a public charter school—there are no tuition or entrance requirements. Enrollment is generally done on a lottery basis.

One of the advantages to sending your child to a charter school is the greater role parents may play in their child’s school. You can participate in its governance, its teaching philosophy -- even its curriculum. Consider joining your school’s governance council and taking a direct hand in its actions. Your school’s administrators and teachers need your help, and are waiting for you to volunteer. To find the appropriate contact at your child’s school, click here.

The 1999 Charter School Act strongly encourages parental involvement in every aspect of charter school operations. Parental and public involvement is necessary for any public school to succeed; for charter schools that need is even greater. Parents can help by participating in your school’s fundraising efforts by joining your school’s PTA or analogous organization. If your school has one, consider joining your school’s non-profit foundation, which generally works toward supplementing the charter schools’ operational budget or helps build school facilities. Non-profits organizations associated with a charter school work to ensure charter school students have access to the same opportunities enjoyed by other students in traditional public schools.

Charter Schools generally are smaller in size than conventional public schools. They endorse a specific academic program that is unique to the school. They are managed by their own governance council and enjoy site-based governance. In exchange for this greater freedom, charter schools agree to operate with less funding, so they receive even less money per pupil than other public schools in New Mexico. That is, charter schools receive no money for capital outlay, or public school building and maintenance. That means they must take money out of their operational funds to pay for a lease, rent and facility maintenance. Thus in many ways charter schools require an even greater level of parental involvement and indeed, the spirit of the 1999 Charter School Act strongly encourages it!

As a parent, you also have responsibilities to your charter school child. After all, your child’s first and most important teacher is you. One Michigan school district has summed up those responsibilities in the following brief guidelines:

As a parent, it is my responsibility to:

Provide a quiet place for my child to study every night
Encourage my child to complete his/her homework every day
Make sure my elementary school child gets to bed at an appropriate time
Attend parent-teacher conferences, some meetings and other school events
Spend at least 15 minutes per day reading with/to my child
Make sure my child eats a good breakfast
Take a moment to look at everything your child brings home
Ask him/her to tell you about their school day
Ask "how" and "why" questions
Give praise (be specific), encouragement and guidance
Be realistic in expectations
Set aside a time each night that the TV/Computer is off and there are as few distractions as possible."

For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Useful Documents and Information

Parent Resources

	Find A Charter School
	Charter School Myths
	Parent Snapshot
	Charter Directory
	Get Involved
	F.A.Q.
	Links