W. Patric Gregory on Common Charter School Myths (Glastonbury)

In recent years the rapid growth of charter schools in popularity and enrollment has spawned an equally dramatic growth in the intensity of debate over their role in the future of our nation’s education. Some critics accuse charter schools of being overly selective and even discriminatory. Others say they hew to a deep-seated and inflexible ideology. Still others claim that lack of sufficient oversight fosters inadequacy.

Many of these viewpoints are unfounded, largely because they’re rooted in myths and misconceptions about the approach charter schools take to teaching, how they select their students, and how they operate. These myths have not only obscured the facts about charter schools, they’ve stigmatized charter education in the evolving “charter vs. public” debate.

To help separate fact from fiction, here are common-sense responses to some common charter school myths:

Myth #1: Charter schools are not public schools.
The widely adopted misconception that charter schools are not public schools has contributed to the “us vs. them” mindset often held by critics of charter education. Charter schools are, in fact, public institutions. They operate in accordance with both federal and state law and are required to meet the same standards of nearly all public schools. For example, all charter schools are:

• Tuition-free and open to all students
• Nonsectarian and cannot discriminate on any grounds
• Publicly funded – by local, state, and federal tax dollars – based on enrollment
• Held accountable for meeting state and federal academic standards.

When it comes to standards, principles and responsibilities, the fact is that public and charter institutions are not all that different.

Myth #2: Charter schools live by a zero-tolerance discipline policy.
One outsized and pernicious rumor attributed to charter schools is that they take a “zero-tolerance” approach to discipline. It is often thought and circulated that charter students are held to unrealistically lofty standards, with little room for error, resulting in considerable discomfort. Another rumor purports that students are punished for minuscule infractions such as failing to maintain eye contact with instructors.

While it is true that charter schools set high expectations for their students – as do the best conventional public institutions – the reality is that they typically do not hold or enforce such strict policies. In instances in which they have, most have taken steps to reduce exacting adherence in order to reduce the potential for suspensions and expulsions.

Myth #3: Charter schools handpick the best students from traditional public schools.
One of the most widely shared misconceptions about charter schools is that they steal top-performing students from their traditional public counterparts. Because charter schools are generally required to accept all students wishing to attend (see Myth #1 regarding nondiscrimination), this notion couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The myth likely stems from those instances in which students interested in charter schools outnumber available charter seats. But when this does happen, rather than cherry picking the best and the brightest, charter schools typically hold lotteries and thereby randomly determine class composition. This probability-based selection process ensures fairness for all aspiring enrollees, regardless of their academic ability.

About the Author

W. Patric Gregory is an experienced business professional from Glastonbury, Connecticut. Patric currently serves as the owner and CEO of Highway Safety Corp, a company that has contributed to the highway construction industry for over 40 years. As leader of the company's senior management team, Patric is a seasoned strategist and innovator in his field.

To learn more about W. Patric Gregory, click here.