Why Charters?

One of the fastest growing areas of public school reform is the charter schools movement. Charter schools are public schools under contract - or charter -between a public agency and groups of parents, teachers, community leaders, or others who want to create alternatives and choice within the public school system. Charter schools create choice for parents and students within the public school system, while providing a system of accountability for student achievement. Charter schools also encourage innovation and provide opportunities for parents to play powerful roles in shaping and supporting the education of their children. As a result, charter schools can spur healthy competition to improve public education.

In exchange for increased accountability, charter schools are given expanded flexibility with respect to select statutory and regulatory requirements. Federal legislation provides support for the creation of charter schools as a means of promoting choice and innovation within public school systems.

Why Support Charter Schools in Hawaii? Why support charter schools? What opportunities will they provide to children and families in Hawaii? Charter schools provide a wonderful opportunity for many students and their families to become more involved in schooling and to experience more success. a public school option that gives parents a choice in their child's education; for youngsters who need a different kind of public school educational environment, or a different mode of instruction. many creative models of schooling which the traditional public schools can learn from. Hawai'i charter schools are contributing to the creation of small schools in a state that has the largest schools (over-all) in the nation. attracting new teachers and other educational professionals to a system that is beleagered by inadequate numbers of qualified and competent teachers and administrators. making partnerships with businesses, private and public entities that will enrich the commitment and understanding of good education in the community. bringing federal money to the state of Hawaii at the rate of over 2 million dollars a year to improve education. enabling the best public education effort to provide appropriate and effective services for native Hawaiian children in its 120 year history. creating a research base for studying how diverse learners may be reached more successfully and how the state standards may be achieved in diverse, interesting ways. increasing the possibility of the survival of public schools in a time when they are at great risk.