Charter School vs. Public School: Differences and Benefits
Written by:
Wilson College
• Nov 4, 2024
Teachers and other education professionals everywhere have the same goal: to enrich students’ lives. Depending on what kind of school they work in, teachers have different tools at their disposal and different regulations to follow. These differences are often especially apparent when comparing a charter school and a public school.
For teachers considering earning a Master of Education (MEd) degree, understanding these differences can be key to planning the next stage of their careers. For some, the flexibility of a charter school can provide room for innovation in the classroom. For others, the structure of public school policy may serve as a framework for helping students of all kinds realize their full potential.
What Is a Public School?
A public school is a primary school financed by public resources, including local, state, and federal funds. While each school may offer unique classes, each has a curriculum that is generally guided by public policies developed by state lawmakers, federal officials, and local school board administrators. Public schools must also adhere to state and national policies regarding special education, hiring practices, and other administrative and instructional matters.
What Is a Charter School?
Charter schools are primary public schools that act independently of their local school districts. They’re generally allowed to create their own curricula and determine their own policies.
School board members, parents, and others can petition local school boards to create charter schools in their districts. Groups that see a lack of sufficient educational choices in their local school communities often do this petitioning.
Some states allow charter schools to operate as for-profit entities. However, other states require that charter schools be established as nonprofit public institutions, so they can be held accountable by the public, parents, and state lawmakers.
Charter School vs. Public School: Similarities
The similarities between charter schools and public schools generally boil down to two things: basic regulations and accountability. Regarding those areas, the working environment for teachers in both types of schools is similar at least on a basic level.
Basic Regulations
Similar to public schools, charter schools in most states must adhere to basic laws about school safety, student attendance, and discrimination. They’re also typically bound by laws pertaining to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Additionally, neither type of school charges tuition.
Accountability and Oversight
As public institutions, public schools are overseen by local school district officials and their state board of education. The same is true for charter schools in most states.
When a group forms a charter school, it must sign a contract with the local school board and/or the state department of education. This contract, or charter, outlines the school’s objectives and policies.
Just as importantly, the charter gives the local school board and/or the state department of education the authority to ensure that those objectives are being met. Officials can do the following:
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Accept or reject initial charter school applications.
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Renew or not renew charters when a contract reaches its end.
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Conduct financial audits and educational assessments.
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Shut down charter schools if they’ve breached their contracts.
Charter schools can appeal or challenge decisions that education officials have made. Due to this relationship with public education authorities, charter schools are also eligible to receive public funding. However, these policies vary by state.
Charter School vs. Public School: Differences
While charter schools and public schools must adhere to many of the same regulations, charter schools don’t have to follow all the same regulations as public schools. Most important, charter schools don’t have to follow the same curriculum, licensing, and enrollment policies as their public counterparts. These differences can affect both the student and the teacher experience.
Charter Schools Have More Autonomy
In public schools, public policy and board of education regulations typically dictate the curriculum. This ensures that all students get at least a basic education in fundamentals such as math and reading. It can also make the teacher experience somewhat more standardized across different schools.
Charter schools, however, aren’t bound by those regulations. This means that some charter schools may experiment with school start times; be more focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or other specialty areas; or employ more diverse instruction techniques, such as experiential learning or virtual instruction. This can give teachers more flexibility to cater to students’ learning styles .
Public Schools May Have Stricter Licensing Standards
For current and future teachers, one of the biggest differences in charter schools vs. public schools are the certification requirements. In public schools, every educator must typically hold at least a bachelor’s degree and be certified through the state department of education. While this can keep standards high, it can make it more difficult for other professionals to pivot into teaching later in their careers.
In charter schools, not every teacher has to be certified. For example, at charter schools in Pennsylvania, only 75% of staff must be certified. However, this doesn’t include school nurses, special education instructors, and many administrators. These professionals must all be certified or meet specific requirements laid out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
They Both Have Different Enrollment Policies
Public schools are open to all students within their districts. Charter schools are open to all students in the state regardless of where they live. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.
The public school enrollment system can promote a stronger sense of community. Students, parents, staff, and local community members all have a chance to contribute to their local schools through events and other engagement opportunities. However, public schools in impoverished or otherwise marginalized communities may not receive all the financial and material support they need.
The charter school enrollment system gives students and parents who can’t afford private schools the chance to explore options beyond their local school system. However, depending on how they’re marketed, where they’re located, and what the enrollment process entails, charter schools may not be accessible to every student.
Prepare for the Next Step With a Master of Education
No matter what type of school you want to work in, having an advanced, evidence-based tool kit at your disposal is key. Wilson College Online’s MEd program can equip you with the skills you need to work in any kind of educational environment.
With classes on culturally relevant instruction, student assessment, and classroom technology integration, students learn multiple strategies to engage learners of all kinds. However, teaching is only one thing you can do with a master’s degree in education . Wilson College Online also offers courses on program design and education research that can help teachers move into high-level program design and administrative positions.
Designed with working education professionals in mind, the curriculum is delivered in a virtual, self-paced, asynchronous format. Along the way, students get real-time feedback and guidance from experienced educator instructors. Find out more about the program today.
Recommended Readings
How to Increase Your Teacher Salary in Pennsylvania
Master of Teaching vs. Master of Education: What’s the Difference?
Sources:
Education Commission of the States, What Rules Are Waived for Charter Schools?
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, About Charter Schools
Pennsylvania Department of Education, Charter Schools
Pennsylvania Department of Education, What Is a Charter School?
