Charters are springing up where urban schools are failing. Can charter schools turn the tide in an urban setting?
The Deck is Stacked Against Urban Schools
Traditional urban schools are notoriously under-funded. Because of the challenging school climate, poverty rate, large numbers of at-risk students and those performing years below grade level, many discouraged teachers leave out of frustration.
Young teachers who need jobs and experience often replace teachers that move on to suburban or private schools. And, the proverbial revolving door continues to swing while the students that desperately need experienced teachers are the least likely to get them.
Charter Schools Play by a Different Set of Rules
Charter schools may be located in an urban setting but are structured differently. While traditional schools accept all students in the neighborhood, charter schools may be selective. Charters are not only selective in the admissions process; they may dismiss unsuccessful students if they are not making progress. Urban schools don’t have that privilege – they accept all students, successful and unsuccessful.
Chicago Charters Reveal Steps Taken to Improve College Acceptance
First order of business is to get more funding than traditional urban schools. Charter schools are often funded differently and may not have to comply with state regulations that may stifle innovation. Renaissance-financed charter schools in South Chicago have adjusted the traditional setting. Charters also differ with many of the following changes.
- Students K-12 receive five more years of core subject instruction.
- Discussion about attending college begins early creating a "college-going culture."
- Charters have a better ratio of students to college counselors and hire full-time college tracking professionals.
- The school takes high school students on college tours.
- Seniors get assistance filling out college applications.
- Assistance with the FAFSA and application and scholarship essays is provided.
- Many charters have longer school days and extended school years.
- Staff is available for after-school tutoring.
- Four years of math, English, science and social studies is required.
- Teachers make late night phone calls and offer support on a regular basis. [1]
With the above in place, students certainly stand a better chance of being successful. Merely looking at the graduation and college admission statistics at charters is not the entire picture. The support system in some charters is extensive but is it enough? Are these students truly ready for college or merely good at getting admitted? How do students perform in college without extensive high school support? What are college graduation rates from charter schools?
Tracking students enrolled in college would be a more accurate statistic and is exactly what charters are doing. Some charter school leaders are hiring guidance counselors to track college students in universities and continue to give some support. This information will give a more accurate picture of how successful charter schools are.
[1] McSherry Breslin, Meg. "Good Data for Charters, but Some Urge Caution," The New York Times, June 24, 2010.
Barbara Pytel - Email me Experience Although I was never particularly fond of going to school as an ELL student, I ironically became a teacher, ...
