Overview of Charter Schools

Why have Wisconsin and nearly 40 other states embarked on a strategy to foster the creation of new types of public schools?

During the past decade, many people voiced concerns that the school system was not adequately preparing young people to live and work in the 21st century. They called for higher standards, a more demanding curriculum, parent/student choice, and strategies that focused on outcomes – what students should know and be able to do. Joining the calls for change were many educators who felt frustrated by a system that perpetuated the status quo and stifled real innovation. They envisioned places of learning where educators worked together in interdependent, collaborative ways to maximize their professional roles.

Responding to the citizen demands for reform, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted laws establishing standards for student learning, a statewide open enrollment program, an expanded statewide testing process, youth options (post-secondary enrollment option), parent/student choice in Milwaukee and a charter schools initiative. In enacting these education reforms, particularly the charter schools law, Wisconsin made dramatic system-changes – institutional innovations in public education. No longer would the state, in its efforts to improve public education and bring every child up to ambitious levels of achievement, rely solely on a strategy of trying to make conventional (non-charter) public schools better. Policymakers redefined public education through multiple strategies that significantly expanded choices of parents, students and educators.

In enacting the charter schools law, Wisconsin made a commitment to support the creation of new types of public schools that operate, pursuant to a charter (contract), with greater autonomy and accountability. What are the common elements of Wisconsin’s charter schools strategy?

Public Schools — Charter schools are public, nonsectarian (nonreligious) schools that are chartered by a public authority, such as a school board or public university. They are public schools of choice and free from tuition for all children. They offer a wide range of learning options for students.

Autonomy for Accountability — Charter schools and their sponsors create an accountability plan as part of the charter (contract). What are our expectations for student learning? How will we measure a student’s progress? How will the information be reported to the community? What will happen if the school fails to meet the standards? In return for increased accountability, the school gets real freedom to innovate and excel. Accountability shifts from process to performance.

Teachers & Students — Charter school teachers must be certificated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Charter school students take state tests required of other public school students. Charter schools may not discriminate in admissions, programs or activities.

Charter is a Contract — The school is chartered for a limited, 5-year term. The charter is a legally binding contract that may be renewed for successive terms. Continuation depends on performance.

Schools of Choice — The charter school is accountable to parents, students and educators who choose to be there. No one is assigned to a charter school.

The charter school idea is intended to improve public education for all students. It’s a state strategy that allows for the creation of different and better public schools new. Educators, parents and others who plan and implement charter schools get to try a mixture of proven and innovative models of learning, governance and evaluations – all linked to state and local standards of student learning.

It’s not surprising that Wisconsin was among the first states to enact a charter schools law in the early 1990s. Our state has a proud tradition of local leadership and decision-making in public education. The underpinnings of the charter schools strategy are compatible with those traditions. Charter schools are first and foremost about student learning and achievement. They are also about educational choices, school-site accountability and autonomy, innovation, and revitalizing public education from the ground up.

Links for More Overview Information

• U.S. Charter Schools
• U.S Department of Education
• WI Department of Public Instruction
• Institute for the Transformation of Learning
• Education Evolving
• WI Legislative Fiscal Bureau (PDF format)
• Center for Education Reform
• Thomas B. Fordham Institute
• Center/School Change