Featured Article: What Is A Charter School
11-20-2008
Desert Star Community School is currently one of 478
charter schools in the state of Arizona, serving over
100,000 students.
By
Susan Simon, Principal
Arizona
has approximately 12 percent of the nation's charter schools
and 8 percent of charter students. Charter schools are
public, state-funded schools. They were created through
legislation in 1994. Charter schools do not charge tuition.
Each charter school must comply with everything in is
charter contract with the state as well as with all applicable
state, federal and local laws and requirements.
Every
charter school has a governing board that oversees the
bigger picture of how the school will grow and thrive.
There are currently seven members on the Desert Star Board
of Directors, who guide the vision of our charter. Everyday
school decisions are made at the school level by the principal.
Each school develops it's own set of governing policies
relating to attendance, discipline, personnel, etc. Charter
schools develop a unique curriculum, often differing from
that offered in public schools. However, charter school
students are required to master the same skills as public
school students.
Desert
Star's compliance with state and federal laws is regulated
by the State Board for Charter Schools. Staff from the
charter board make site visits during the first two years
of a charter's existence. During these unannounced visits
to the school, the investigators review lesson planning,
check for alignment of the state standards with the Waldorf
curriculum, observe teachers teaching, evaluate office
record keeping and interview the principal about curriculum
issues and the general running of the school. Desert Star
passed our site visits from the charter board. The next
formal visit from the charter board will be in year five,
although they may choose to drop in at any time. Charters
must be renewed at the fifteen-year mark.
Parents
often ask if Desert Star must enroll all students who
apply. The answer is "yes", if there is space
in the classroom. Charter schools are funded by the state
and receive money based on student enrollment and attendance.
Therefore, it's important that we continue to increase
our enrollment, in order to support our programs.
Charter
schools present a viable alternative to parents who are
dissatisfied with local school programming or who desire
a unique curriculum for their children. Desert Star and
the other charters in Arizona face big challenges to insure
the continued growth and health of their schools. The
entire school community must work harmoniously to realize
the goals and vision that the school is built upon.
Further information about charter schools in Arizona
may be found in the state department of education website
at http://www.ade.state.az.us
