What are Charter Schools? Charter schools are public, nonsectarian schools of choice, which receive federal and state funding. They are regulated by the guidelines established in their charter and are exempt from many regulations governing traditional public schools.
How many Charter Schools are in Education Service Center, Region 20? There are 23 charters in the Region 20 service area. These charters, which function similarly to school districts, may have more than one school (campus) operating within that charter.
Do Charter Schools charge tuition? No, charter schools are considered public schools and cannot charge for attendance. They may assess "fees," but these must fall within the same scope of the traditional schools that assess fees for specific courses.
Do Charter Schools accept students with special needs? Yes, since charter schools are open-enrollment public schools, they must follow all of the same federal and state guidelines requiring the education of students with special needs.
How do I know if a Charter School is right for my child? The best way to determine if a charter school is right for a child is to visit the school. Ask questions about their program, their graduation rate, and state assessment performance. Also ask about the curriculum, whether teachers are certified, if the school has a special focus, and the teacher-to-student ratio. Remember that all charter schools are unique in their approach to education; although some charter schools serve children in grades PK-12, many have programs for only elementary, or only secondary, students.
What services does ESC-20 provide to charter schools? Charter schools are considered "open enrollment public schools of choice" and have access to the same programs and services as their traditional public school counterparts. Please refer to the Products and Services section of the ESC-20 web site for a description of the services available and contact names for each service offered at Education Service Center, Region 20.
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