Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tennessee’s Charter Schools
What is a Charter School?
Does Tennessee Have Charter Schools?
Is a Charter School a Public School?
How Do Charter Schools Differ From Traditional District Public Schools?
What Programs Do Charter Schools Offer?
Why Are Charter Schools Attractive?
Who can Start a Charter School?
Who Runs a Charter School?
Who Authorizes Charter Schools?
What is the Role of an Authorizer?
How Are Charter Schools Funded?
Do Charter Schools Take Money from Public Schools?
Do Charter Schools Work?
Who Can Attend a Charter School?
Do Charter Schools Serve Special Population Students?
Are Charter Schools Diverse?
Are Charter School Teachers Certified?
Must Charter Schools Comply with State Laws and Regulations?
Must Charter Schools Comply with Federal Laws and Regulations?
The following are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding Tennessee charter schools and the opportunities they provide for students, educators, schools, and communities. The answers to these FAQs are intended to provide only an introductory overview of key issues. If you would like more information about the questions below or any other question, please follow the links provided within the text or contact the TCSA.
A charter school is a free, nonsectarian, innovative public school that controls its own curriculum, staffing, organization, and budget. Charter schools are designed to deliver a unique program tailored to meet the needs of the students they serve. In exchange for their autonomy, charter schools must deliver the academic results they have promised in their charter contract.
Does Tennessee Have Charter Schools?
Tennessee's charter school law was passed in 2002. Since then, 17 schools have opened and serve approximately 3,500 students. There are 13 charter schools in Memphis and 3 charter schools in Nashville. As many as a 12 new applications are expected to be submitted by October 1 of this year. In fact one was submitted July 7 in Chattanooga with a second application in Chattanooga still be reviewed by Hamilton County Schools and the State Board of Education. These two schools, and all applicants would open the fall of 2009 if approved.
Is a Charter School a Public School?
Yes. Tennessee's charter school law states that public charter schools are part of the state public education system and receive public funding through the Basic Education Program. Charter schools are open to the public, including students with special needs and the schools must comply with all federal laws.
How Do Charter Schools Differ From Traditional District Public Schools?
Although Tennessee charter schools are public schools, there are important differences. Generally, charter schools operate on three principles:
Accountability: Charter schools are evaluated on how well they meet the student achievement goals established by their charter contract. Charter schools must also demonstrate that they can meet rigorous fiscal and managerial standards. If a charter school cannot perform up to established standards, it can be closed by the charter authorizer, which is the local education agency (LEA).
Choice: Charter schools give families an opportunity to choose the school that best suits their child's educational well-being. Moreover, teachers, staff, and the principal have an opportunity to create and work at schools where they have the power to directly shape the learning environment and atmosphere that best serves their students.
Autonomy: While charter schools must adhere to many of the laws and regulations that govern traditional district public schools, they are freed from the bureaucracy that often diverts a school's energy and resources away from the mission of the school. As a result, charter school leaders can focus all of their efforts on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.
An important inequity to note is that charter schools do not receive separate funds to cover their facility needs. As a result, charter schools must seek additional funding from the private sector, engage in other fundraising efforts, or make undesirable budget cuts. Many charter proponents are pushing for legislation that equals the playing field in terms of funding for charter schools.
What Programs do Charter schools Offer?
Some charter school programs focus on academic basics - reading, writing, and math and science. Other schools have chosen to implement specialized curriculums such as performing arts, technology, science and engineering, and health science. Although most charter schools resemble traditional public schools, charter schools have the flexibility to customize their programs to serve a community in need. For example, in some places in the country, there are charter schools that focus on dropout prevention programs, adult education programs, Head Start and day care needs, and college-preparation. The compelling aspect of Tennessee's charter schools is that they offer parents a wide range of programs.
Is there a Cap on the Number of Charter Schools?
Yes. According to Tennessee state law the number of charter schools created shall not exceed, statewide, 50 in number, 20 of which shall be located within a home rule municipality of a county with a population greater than 897,400, and four of which shall be located within a county with a population greater than 897,400.
Why Are Charter Schools Attractive?
There are many reasons why charters have become popular with parents, teachers, and community leaders. First, charters provide educational quality. Charter schools were created with a vision that every child should have access to a quality education. Charters set high standards and must meet them to remain open. Many district public schools remain open no matter how poorly they perform. In exchange for accountability, meaning high student achievement, charter schools are given freedom to control all aspects of their school. If they fail to meet high standards, the school will not be allowed to continue operating.
Second, charter schools focus on students. Charter schools are designed to meet the needs of children, not to meet the needs of adults. Tennessee's charter schools are proving that when the focus is truly on the students and programs are designed to help them succeed, no matter what it takes, students and their families win.
Third, charters provide safe, strong communities. Tennessee's charter schools are engaging local businesses and community organizations to help provide resources and services to the school and its families. Some charter schools are creating a community hub, whether it is turning an inner-city neighborhood plagued with poverty and crime into a bustling and safer neighborhood or bringing families in rural America together. Regardless of their focus, charter schools are proving that they are strengthening their communities.
Who can Start a Charter Schools?
Any individual or organization is eligible to submit a charter application and operate a charter school, provided the individual or group has registered a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization to sponsor the charter school. Many charter schools have been started by groups of concerned parents, educators, and community members who have seen a need for a high quality educational alternative and have been committed to creating it.
One of the innovations of charter schools is the fiscal and managerial independence it allows. At each of Tennessee's charter schools, the management structure has been created to implement individualized learning programs and goals. However, there is one structure that each school shares: the Charter School Board.
Every charter school is required by law to have a Board of Directors. The Board is ultimately responsible for the school, its results, and its operations. Legally, the board oversees the operations of the school and ensures that it is financially sound and is in compliance with the law. The Board also helps to create the vision for how the school should operate. Under Tennessee law, each school board has a parent representative.
Who Authorizes Charter Schools?
Tennessee state law mandates that a local education agency (LEA) authorize charter schools. This means that the local board of education has the power to approve, renew, or decide to reject or revoke a public charter school application or agreement. However, if an LEA denies a charter application, the sponsoring group may appeal to the State Board of Education.
New public charter schools, conversion schools, and all renewals of charter agreements are granted for a 5-year period.
What is the Role of an Authorizer?
The role of the charter school authorizer (LEA) is to approve charter applications and then monitor the schools to ensure success. Research has shown that the more organized and active an authorizer is, the more likely problems within individual charter schools will be uncovered and fixed early. Sponsors are ultimately responsible for the operational and educational integrity of each charter school they sponsor and for closing any school that fails to function responsibly.
How Are Charter Schools Funded?
Like all traditional public schools, charters are funded according to enrollment, which is based on the average daily attendance (ADA). Charters receive 100% of state and local funding. However, unlike traditional public schools, charter schools in Tennessee do not receive funding to cover the cost of locating, securing, and renovating their school facility.
Because all charter schools are funded at a lower amount than traditional public schools, most charters turn to outside funding sources such as grants, fundraising drives, and the sweat equity of committed volunteers, parents, and local professionals. Since charter schools are public schools, they are not allowed to charge tuition. They are entitled to federal categorical funding for which their students are eligible, such as Title I and Special Education monies. Federal legislation provides grants to help charters with start-up costs.
Do Charter Schools Take Money from Public Schools?
No. Since charter schools are public schools, when a child leaves for a charter school the money ultimately follows that child. This benefits the public school system by instilling a sense of accountability into the system regarding its services to the student and parents and its fiscal obligations. Fiscally, charter schools have demonstrated efficiency. For more information on common misconceptions surrounding charter schools, please visit the Center for Education Reform’s web-site: CHARTER SCHOOLS: Six Common Criticisms from Opponents…and Proof That They are Unfounded.
Yes. In addition to the positive pressure they put on the public school system as a whole, charter schools satisfy and serve their primary constituents (students, parents, and teachers) by providing exciting and viable new education opportunities in an inclusive, individual manner.
Based on the Comptrollers Report in 2006, A Look at Tennessee’s Charter Schools stated, “Charter school policies can impact the likelihood of school success.”
An example of charter schools ‘working’ includes Star Academy of Memphis, which was recently named the top Title I school in all of Tennessee. A total of 2 schools received this recognition out of 951 Title I schools in Tennessee. Other charter schools that have either received awards or community recognition include KIPP Nashville, Memphis Academy of Health and Sciences, Soulsville, City University, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering and Southern Avenue Charter School. In additional teachers and administrators from Circles of Success, LEAD Academy, Smithson Craighead, Promise, and Memphis Business Academy.
Who Can Attend a Charter School?
The Tennessee charter school law outlines who can attend charter schools:
- Students who were previously enrolled in a charter school.
- Students who are assigned to, or were previously enrolled in a school failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP), as defined by the state’s accountability system, giving priority to at-risk students.
- Students who, in the previous school year, failed to test proficient in the subjects of language arts/reading or mathematics in grades three (3) through eight (8) on the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program examinations (TCAP).
- Students who, in the previous school year, failed to test proficient on the gateway examinations in language arts/reading or mathematics.
- Free or reduced price lunch students in grades K-3, though a charter school cannot enroll more than 25% of their total enrollment from this category. The remaining enrollment must come from the above categories.
Do Charter Schools Serve Special Population Students?
Like all public schools, charter schools are required by law to provide access and services to all students, including children with disabilities and those who are limited English proficient. The majority of charter schools have a very diverse set of students.
Yes. Students in charter schools have similar demographic characteristics as students in all public schools. However, because of the nature of Tennessee’s charter school law, charter schools in Tennessee serve significantly higher percentages of minority or economically disadvantaged students.
Are Charter School Teachers Certified?
Yes. All teachers must have a current, valid Tennessee teaching license, or meet the minimum requirements for licensure as defined by the state board of education. However, teachers choose to teach at charter schools because charter schools allow them the freedom to control what happens in their own classroom and the ability to have a say in the management of their school. In addition to hiring the same certified teachers as traditional public schools, charter schools can hire qualified individuals that often have significant professional experience in their subject area, infusing charter school classrooms with unparalleled real-world experience.
Must Charter Schools Comply with State Laws and Regulations?
Yes. In Tennessee, public charter schools must administer state assessments and meet the same performance standards and requirements adopted by the state board of education for traditional public schools.
Additionally, public charter school operate as a public, nonsectarian, non-religious public school, with control of instruction vested in the governing body of the school under the general supervision of the chartering authority (the LEA) and in compliance with the charter agreement and Tennessee's charter school law.
Must Charter Schools Comply with Federal Laws and Regulations?
Yes. In key areas such as civil rights, special education, and the No Child Left Behind Act, charter schools are subject to essentially the same requirements as other public schools. However, the precise application of these laws depends on the status of the charter school under specific provisions of federal law and state charter legislation.
In addition to following federal laws and regulations, Charter schools must follow Tennessee laws and regulations outlined for public schools as well as laws established for charter schools.
For information on how federal civil rights laws apply to charter schools, please visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/publications.html.