Great Schools Can Be Different
Every student is different, and so is every school. Some great schools don't fit the traditional public school model. Education has expanded so much in the last few decades that the old stereotypes and old ways of doing things are no longer the norm.
Good teachers know that innovation combined with proven tactics are the keys to success in the classroom and in life. However, too often they find themselves hobbled by the institutions in which they are forced to work.
Recent years have given rise to a variety of new learning environments. Three important types of schools out there are charter schools, magnet schools, and alternative schools. They all have an important role to play within the educational system, and can have a great effect on the lives of the students they serve. If you think that your child could benefit from one of these settings, get involved: visit an open house, get to know the staff there, and volunteer your time.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are sort of like the renegades of education. The staff at a charter school is freed from some of the restrictions usually incumbent on public schools in exchange for guaranteeing certain academic outcomes for their students. Some of these schools specialize in a specific area, like math or the arts, but many seek to provide a higher level of education than their public peers through non-traditional class types, or a different administrative structure that gives more freedom to the teachers.
Funding and authorization for a charter school can come from either the local district or from the state itself. They are funded with a mix of public money and (like many other schools) private donations. Frequently a charter school will be founded by educators seeking to create a new type of learning environment. These activitist-educators often work in tandem with local philanthropists to secure funding for the school. This is where parents and other concerned citizens who want to provide great schools for the students in their lives can really get involved and make a difference.
Magnet Schools
Specialization is the name of the game for magnet schools, which got their name from the fact that they draw their students from all throughout a district (or sometimes a larger geographic area). These students are bussed in from their various locations to engage in a particular course of study, such as science, music, or vocational training.
How students are recruited varies from place to place. Some schools require rigorous intake testing. Others only extend admission to students who enter a voluntary lottery. The competitive natures of these schools represent a powerful opportunity for parents to advocate on the part of their children.
Magnet schools actually underwent quite a dynamic shift since their inception. Originally they were designed to remedy the crippling effects of racial segregation by “bussing” students from higher-income areas into lower income schools and vice versa. Now they serve as some of the most desirable educational opportunities available.
Alternative Schools
Though all types of schools serve all types of students, the “alternative school” frequently serves the most challenging students in a given district. These schools can take on a variety of appearances and admissions criteria: some focus on a specific type of learning disorder (dyslexia, autism spectrum, etc.) while others may deal with emotional/conduct disordered students who cannot operate in a standard educational setting.
One common feature of many alternative educational institutions is counseling. The students are there for the mitigation of a specific obstacle in their education (and often psychological and emotional) growth. Intense, regular counseling, both for personal, interpersonal, and homelife issues can go a long way towards helping these students achieve their personal and academic goals.
Another common feature is non-traditional classroom settings and goals. Class sizes are often smaller, with more attention from educators and para-educators. Group counseling and lifeskills sessions may be incorporated into the curriculum and daily activities. Additionally, student educational goals and schedules may be realigned to better respond to students' needs. For example, a high school setting may offer distance learning classes over the internet, provide day care for students with children, or allow students to sit for the GED exam in lieu of whatever the local requirements are for a high school diploma.