Introduction
Undoubtedly, education is the basis of every individual’s life as well as the future of the nation. The USA is famous for its high quality education. At present, it also takes pride in a variety of educational choices for young learners. Charter schools entered the educational scene in the late 1990s. Arizona is the state where the number of charter schools is on the rise and 14% of students in the state are enrolled in charter schools (Faller n.p.). Popularity of these schools is quite high.
However, as anything new, charter schools have their proponents and opponents. The latter say that charter schools take money from the district schools and allocate funds ineffectively. They also note that results of charter schools are not always satisfactory and the methods used are not properly evaluated. Nonetheless, proponents of these schools stress that the majority of charter schools have proved to be effective.
Clearly, Arizona must allocate funds to help charter schools develop as these establishments help cover larger groups of students, they introduce alternative educational approaches and they are competitors to district schools, which favorably affects development of educational system in the state.
What Is a Charter School?
There is a great variety of charter schools which differ in form, curriculum, governance, etc. Charter schools may also focus on specific areas, e.g. sport, art, science, etc. Charter schools are non-profit or for-profit organizations. These schools may use traditional as well as innovative approaches. As a rule, charter schools are attended by students living in the district where the school is physically situated (“Charter Schools; Admission Requirements” n.p.).
There is one major similarity. If the number of applicants is too high, students are enrolled on the basis of a lottery. Students are not enrolled on the basis of their academic or sport achievements, ethnicity, socioeconomic status of their families, etc. (“Charter Schools; Admission Requirements” n.p.). Charter schools may have different visions and missions, but they are all aimed at providing educational opportunities for people.
Why Are They Necessary?
Some people claim that charter schools should not exist as traditional district schools provide the necessary educational opportunities to those who need them, but this is far from being that way. Many parents face a variety of issues concerning their children attending district schools. Some are unsatisfied with their children’s results. Some are unsatisfied with the quality of teaching. Charter schools may be regarded as an alternative to a more traditional school.
They can be seen as a competition (Faller n.p.). Admittedly, competition positively affects development of any sphere. Everyone knows that the very existence of a competitor makes organizations (as well as people) perform better and seek for new better ways. Therefore, charter schools help raise the standards. Hence, it is a good idea to invest in tools which lead to development.
Apart from creating competition, charter schools can also be regarded as an option to address certain issues concerning coverage. For instance, they help cover larger population which is extremely important for the state. Importantly, charter schools (in the vast majority of cases) provide free education.
Admittedly, in the times of severe financial constraints, this can be a way out for many families. Thus, more children and teenagers have opportunity to obtain high quality education. This is why it is important to allocate funds to help the state provide high-quality education to larger groups of students.
Remarkably, charter schools provide high-quality education which is quite innovative in nature. Many charter schools are A or B rated educational establishments, i.e. students enrolled in these schools show high results (“Charter Schools; Admission Requirements” n.p.). Interestingly, many charter schools employ innovative approaches. For instance, Carpe Diem Collegiate High School and Middle School is one of such innovative educational establishments (Pandolfo n.p.).
Students have cubicles where they learn with the help of computer programs. They also have workshops where they discuss issues and learn to think critically. This is a very innovative approach which is quite effective. Students like studying there as they may learn at their own pace (Pandolfo n.p.). Those who can learn a topic faster do not need to wait until other students catch up with them. Those who need more time do not feel frustrated and can also move at their pace. This individual approach makes study enjoyable.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
As has been mentioned above, many opponents claim that innovative approaches used often prove to be ineffective. Of course, there may be some drawbacks. According to Arizona Charter Schools Association, some charter schools do not achieve high results (“State of Education” 3).
Some charter schools exploiting alternative approaches are only C and D rated schools. However, if parents think an approach cannot really work for their child, they do not need to choose the school employing the ineffective approach. Admittedly, when choosing a school for children, parents should be thoughtful. It is necessary to ask many questions and even visit some classes to see the difference. Charter schools’ ratings are available and it can be quite easy to find A or B rated charter schools.
Some may say that charter schools obtain quite significant funding, at the expense of district schools. However, these two types of schools have equal opportunities. At that, there is quite strict regulation when it comes to charter schools (Faller n.p). It is not easy to start a charter school as it is necessary to provide a thorough plan for five years where all major points (staff, funds allocation, curriculum, etc.) are covered.
It is also possible to mention another drawback, i.e. the lack of places in effective charter schools. This downside may be removed. Establishment of new charters schools can help solve this problem. Thus, allocation of funds to support development of charter schools is important as it provides more opportunities for people living in the state.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is possible to state that funding charter schools is vital for educational system of Arizona. These schools are aimed at providing more opportunities for young learners. These schools are a good competition for district schools which will try to improve their approaches to remain competitive. Schools will try to find new effective ways to help students develop and achieve their academic goals.
Of course, charter schools should be under strict supervision of the state to prevent any violations. Some people say that Americans do not need these schools, while others insist there should be more charter schools. At any rate, it is up to parents to decide which school to choose for their child. However, when doing their research, parents should try to be far-sighted. Parents need to know that there are many options for their children.
Works Cited
“Charter Schools; Admission Requirements.” Arizona State Legislature. 2007. Web.
Faller, Mary Beth. “Arizona Charter-School Enrollment In On Rise.” The Republic. Nov. 2012. Web.
Pandolfo, Nick. “Educational Nation: In Arizona Desert, a Charter School Competes.” The Hechinger Report. Sep. 2012. Web.
“State of Education.” Arizona Charter Schools Association, 2012. Web.