Charter schools offer parents an avenue for change

By Myrna Castrejon

06 Nov 2024, 04:12 AM EST

Most California voters are deeply concerned about the state of public education in the Golden State. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) found that 51% of voters believe the quality of their children’s education has “gotten worse,” and 60% says “major changes” are needed in our K-12 public education system.

The good news? Parents don’t have to wait for policies to change to see a difference. They have the power to be agents of change by exploring a different type of public school: Public charter schools. These schools are free, open to all and accessible regardless of place of residence.

They are designed to put students first, offering rigorous, personalized instruction tailored to each child’s unique needs – an alternative to traditional district schools that often take a one-size-fits-all approach.
At CCSA, my team and I spend much of our time educating families about the benefits of public charter schools, clearing up common misconceptions, and providing parents with accurate information. Every year, parents ask us the same questions:
What exactly are charter schools?
Are they public or private?

Can my child attend?

• Some people question whether these repeated questions are frustrating. My answer? At all. Each question is an opportunity to empower parents, help them rethink their children’s education, and set the record straight about public charter schools. Here’s what parents should know:
• Salas says this commitment to community-driven education is what sets public charter schools apart.
• Public charter schools are public schools that enjoy autonomy from local districts but are governed by independent, nonprofit boards of directors.
• Your attendance is free, with no registration required.
• Public charter schools are open to everyone, no matter where they live. No one is assigned to study or work there: they are schools that people choose.
• Flexibility leads to innovation: Educators have the freedom to design high-quality, personalized programs that respond to students’ needs.
• Greater accountability: Public charter schools are subject to rigorous standards, and their autonomy is tied to their results. Because, at the end of the day, families want schools to be responsible for producing better outcomes in their children’s lives.

State funding follows students: Public charter schools receive funding based on student attendance, just like traditional district schools.

Currently, more than 117,000 students attend 242 public charter schools in Los Angeles alone. Many of these schools are led by educators like José Salas, executive director of Montague Charter Academy in Pacoima, who has worked in traditional district schools but switched to public charter schools because of their focus on improving access and quality of historically underserved communities.

“In district schools, initiatives were applied equally across the board without taking into account the individual needs of children. With public charter schools we have the power to govern ourselves. “We focus on the needs of our students.”

Every morning, José begins his day answering emails from parents, answering their questions about the school’s curriculum, staff, school schedule, and academic focus. Public charter schools are truly community-centered.

During the pandemic, Montague Charter Academy faced a challenge: many students stopped attending because their parents contracted Covid-19 and couldn’t take them to school. José and his team quickly partnered with Uber to provide free transportation to these students, ensuring their education continued uninterrupted. This creative solution was possible because public charter schools have the flexibility to respond to community needs, an advantage that traditional schools often lack.

“Public charter schools succeed in disadvantaged communities because we have the freedom to innovate,” José explains. Public charter schools are a powerful option for families because of their ingenuity and responsiveness.

If you are concerned about the direction of your child’s education, don’t settle for the status quo or wait to be assigned to a school that may or may not meet your needs and expectations. Explore the benefits of public charter schools—schools that put students first as an essential part of their mission and that prioritize high-quality, individualized learning experiences. In fact, when I talk to our leaders, we often talk about why we choose to advocate for and build public charter schools, and it’s very simple: because we want to support schools in which we would be happy to enroll our own children.

I also call on all parents and community members to elect leaders and policies that align with the educational outcomes and principles you believe are essential for your children. Whether advocating for more public charter schools, equitable funding, supporting inclusive curricula, or improving support for teachers, every vote can help shape a system that reflects your vision of a strong, fair education for all. students.

California families deserve options we can all get behind that make education work for every child, in every school.