Charter schools are independent public schools that are free to offer innovative educational programs and services. Whereas traditional public schools are obliged to teach their district’s curriculum, charter schools may design and deliver unique programs and services. Charter schools can focus on delivering high quality educational programs based on unique missions. The ability of charter schools to offer innovative educational programs and services is one of their greatest advantages over traditional public schools. It is probably fair to say that innovation is conspicuous by its absence in traditional public schools. Charter schools, to the contrary, are frequently highly innovative and offer a wide range of educational programs throughout the country. Given the flexibility awarded to charter schools, they have the capacity to transform education throughout the country. In fact, they already are in many states.

As we know, teachers are a school’s greatest asset and potentially its greatest liability. Charter schools have considerable freedom to hire and fire their teachers. To the contrary, many traditional public schools are burdened with incompetent, tenured teachers. Imagine if you were obliged to keep an inept heart surgeon on staff! The ability to retain or part ways with teachers based upon performance is one of the greatest advantages of charter schools compared to traditional public schools.

Charter schools are also free of the sometimes crippling bureaucracy of traditional schools. They can operate with the efficiency of a business and reduce or eliminate hurdles posed by the larger size of traditional school bureaucracies. This allows for more creative control over all aspects of school operations, which increases the likelihood of innovation and efficiency.

Despite all the freedom, public charter schools are accountable. Charter schools must abide by the tenets outlined in their charter contract between the school and the chartering authority, which states projected student achievement outcomes as well as penalties for failing to make these gains. If the charter school fails to measure up, parents can “vote with their feet” or the school can lose its charter altogether.

Charter schools are publicly funded, tuition free and nonsectarian. An excellent charter school will likely a have long waiting list. Many parents are highly dissatisfied with their local public school and often have no alternative unless a charter school is available. Charter schools offering an excellent, free education are in high demand throughout the country.

Public charter schools are improving education and achievement for millions of students in the United States and other countries. One can find many success stories of increased student achievement in the media and in research articles. Reports from across the nation confirm positive trends in charter school academic achievement. As the charter schools movement continues to grow and more resources become available, charter schools will likely play a major role in improving education.