What are charter schools

Charter schools are tuition-free, publicly funded schools with many of the same requirements of traditional public schools. Not only do charter schools offer an alternative to traditional public schools, they often implement a unique focus and alternative learning styles. Charter schools are independently managed, operating under a charter, or an agreement between the school board and the sponsor. Charter schools improve education by giving parents more choices and offering students more creative approaches to learning. Charter schools have the freedom to innovate, but are held to high standards of performance. At OCCS, we sponsor 48 charter schools, all of which are held accountable by our organization and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Similarities:

As public schools, charter schools are similar to traditional district schools in many areas critical to the education of students. For instance, they are:

40,000

Students served by OCCS

Innovation

Due to heightened accountability, charter schools may innovate in the following ways:

  • Implementing a Unique Mission, Focus or Curriculum
  • Lengthening the School Day/School Year
  • Selecting, Retaining, & Rewarding Teachers
  • Special Use of Technology

In addition, they are required to abide by state and federal laws and regulations, in the areas of: