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News & Information
Pennsylvania's Charter Schools celebrate National Charter School Week
May 17, 2006
So...what are charter schools anyway?
Unless their children are registered in a charter school, some people are not quite sure what the answer to the questions is.
But then, a growing number of folks do know the answer. Perhaps their children might not be enrolled in a charter school, but their neighbors, relatives, or friends' school-aged youngsters are. In their ninth year of existence, Pennsylvania charter schools are rapidly growing in number and popularity.
Charter schools are innovative community-based public schools that provide a plethora of educational choices for families. Since charter schools are public schools, they are funded by tax dollars which means families do not pay tuition. Each school has a special focus such as character education, college preparation, technology, the arts, and more. Typically, charter schools offer greater individualized attention than traditional public schools can provide. And thanks to the twelve cyber charter schools located throughout the Commonwealth, a charter school education is available to "virtually" everyone.
During the week of May 1-7, 2006, Pennsylvania's charter school students, teachers, staff, and families will celebrate National Charter School Week. This year's theme is "Charter Public Schools Making their Impact."
"Charter school families throughout the state will be celebrating the education options available to them," said Dr. Timothy Daniels, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools. "They are excited that their community charter schools provide a far greater level of individualized instruction and nurturing than most traditional public schools are able to facilitate."
Daniels predicts demand for more charter schools will increase. "In less than a decade, Pennsylvania has seen well over 100 charter schools established. We anticipate the trend to continue."
A survey taken last year by Susquehanna Polling and Research supports Daniels' prediction. Sixty-one percent of survey respondents said they support allowing communities to continue establishing charter schools. Sixty-two percent support lengthening charter renewals from five years to ten years once charter schools have proven themselves during the first five-year term-a key factor in meeting Pennsylvania families' demand for school choice.
"Pennsylvania's five-year restriction on charters granted to charter schools is a major roadblock to keeping up with the demand for school choice," said Daniels. "To meet that demand, many charter schools require renovation, expansion, or building and land acquisitions. Lenders are hesitant to approve loans because of the short five-year charter term. Charter schools that can acquire loans often pay more in interest and related costs because their short-term charter makes them a greater lending risk."
Daniels hopes that Pennsylvania's elected officials will join thousands of families in celebration of the May 1-7 Charter School Week, and while doing so, reflect upon how they can help better facilitate the growing demand for school choice.
Interesting Charter School Facts:
- Pennsylvania is the largest charter school state in the Northeast.
- There are 117 charter schools in Pennsylvania.
- Over 55,000 Pennsylvania students are enrolled in a charter school.
- More than 1 million students are enrolled in the nation's 3400 charter schools.
- Many charter schools provide underprivileged and minority students with superior education that was once only available to wealthy private school students.
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