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Charter Schools and Vouchers

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Charter Schools and Vouchers
Are charter schools private schools? What do vouchers have to do with private schools? Some answers here.

Charter Schools
Is a charter school a private school? No. It is a public K-12 school. It receives public funding but operates without some of the arcane regulations most public schools must abide by. Read . Charter schools can be found in most major urban areas. Some of them are well-run and funded adequately. Others have been a financial disaster. Charter schools tend to be small and have small class sizes.


Vouchers
The idea behind vouchers is to give lower income families an alternative to poorly performing public schools. Vouchers are a lightning rod in educational circles. Teachers unions universally despise them. Politicians avoid them. In places where voucher programs have taken hold, such as in and Cleveland, the response has been positive. The points of contention have to do with the use of public funds to pay parochial school fees and the diversion of public funds from public schools.

What vouchers are really all about is an attempt to provide some kind of school choice for parents with children in poorly performing public schools.

Additional Resources [+]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a charter school considered a private school?
No, a charter school is a public K–12 school that receives public funding but operates without some of the regulations most public schools must abide by.
Do charter schools have smaller class sizes compared to regular public schools?
Yes, charter schools tend to be small and have small class sizes.
What is the main purpose of vouchers in education?
Vouchers aim to give lower income families an alternative to poorly performing public schools.
Have voucher programs been positively received in all areas?
In places where voucher programs have taken hold, such as Milwaukee and Cleveland, the response has been positive.
Why do teachers unions oppose vouchers?
Teachers unions universally despise vouchers because they involve the use of public funds to pay parochial school fees and divert public funds from public schools.

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