New York City Schools Include Charters By Patricia Hawke

There have been many instances over the past 20 years or so where people have been so unhappy about the schools that they have decided to step up and do something about it. In response to this discontent, charter schools have been formed. For many New York City Schools families, charters appear to be the way to go.

Virtually anyone concerned with the state of New York City Schools can open a charter school. Parents, teachers, principals (whether they are from public New York City Schools or private ones), community leaders, philanthropists and nonprofit organizations are all examples of the types of folks who open charter schools in response to a perceived lack in quality public education.

But what is a charter school, anyway? Most people have heard about them, but are unclear or confused as to what they are, exactly. Charter schools are created by a contract (or “charter”) with the New York City Schools system. They are held to the same standards as more traditional public schools, but operate with a greater autonomy than regular schools within the system. The purpose of the charter school is to offer new resources, personnel and ideas to education, as well as to give the families of New York City Public Schools a greater choice.

Charter schools are under the umbrella of the New York City Schools district, and are held directly accountable for meeting specific student performance goals. If the charter school fails to meet these criteria, their charter can be revoked or not renewed. In return for these higher standards, these schools are exempt from New York City Schools regulations such as curriculum development, staffing, and budget.

There are 6 reasons why numbering charter schools among the options for families with children attending New York City Schools is a good idea. Charter schools have unique educational goals that are innovative and desirable:

- Charter schools within the districts of New York City Schools are responsible for increasing the learning opportunities and achievement of all students, most especially high-risk students – ones in danger of dropping out or who have a low reading ability, for example.

- These special New York City Schools also encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods. Within the confines of the traditional public school classroom, teachers have fewer options with how they go about their jobs. Simple issues such as class size or available resources can considerably tie their hands.

- Charter schools obviously provide a greater amount of choice for parents and students of New York City Schools.

- Also, charter schools can provide motivated educators with the means to pursue their beliefs and ideas.

New York City Schools strive to offer its students the best possible education, and the choice of attending a charter school is one way to do so. Charter schools can offer their children a wider variety of opportunities.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187447&ca=Education

Public Versus Private New Orleans Schools By Patricia Hawke

Ever wonder what to do with school choice? For families who have ample amounts of money and can afford any school, the decision about what school to send the kids to may seem simple. After all, most people believe that private is best. Other parents may not be able to afford private school and have to send their kids to public schools and keep their fingers crossed. For still yet others, scrimping and saving to send little Johnny and Suzie to private school is their top priority. Sure, for most private schools, there are lots of benefits: smaller class sizes, a wider array of programs available such as Latin or Montessori, and the quality of amenities the school has to offer (pool, track, state-of-the-art computer labs, etc…) are all examples.

But what about cities like New Orleans? There, they have to rebuild their school systems from the ground up; Hurricane Katrina wiped everything out, schools included. Even if New Orleans Schools had made it through the storm unscathed, for a time there were no students to attend them. The city has a unique opportunity to restructure their entire New Orleans Schools educational system; what an exciting prospect!

Dividing up the area into two districts, the public sector of New Orleans Schools is working to not only get schools going again, but to also make sure that they are doing it right. Feeling that this division of management will allow for more flexibility throughout the city, leaders are working to ensure that all students who return to public New Orleans Schools will get the chance to continue in their educational careers. For students whose families are sending them to New Orleans Public Schools, this restructuring is a beacon of hope. Their children may get the chance to continue learning, and they will do so in newer, safer environments. Their lives have been torn apart by wind and rain; they’ve lost their homes and their livelihoods. They deserve the consistency that going to New Orleans Schools can, hopefully, provide.

For some families, enrolling their children in a private New Orleans Schools is the decision they’ve made for their students. The rebuilding of an entire city is a great way for private New Orleans Schools to get a foothold in the city. While the public schools must work through the bureaucracy to get things done, private schools must go before their board of directors and perhaps the building permit office in order for changes to occur. Definitely a shorter process, it allows for private New Orleans Schools to open their doors to students. Not only are churches and private institutions leaders of private New Orleans Schools, corporations and groups of parents are getting together to form charter schools. For many families, these quasi-public New Orleans Schools are the way to go. They can choose which school philosophy works for them, which ones they can afford to attend, and go from there.

So, whether you choose private New Orleans Schools or public ones, you and your family have options.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187446&ca=Education