Alberta charter schools

Alberta charter schools are a special type of public schools [See [http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/educationsystem/charter_hndbk.pdf Alberta charter school handbook (PDF)] . Page 1. This provincial guide refers to a charter school as a type of "public school". However, some disagree with this terminology, as a private organization may apply for a charter, and is not under the authority of a local elected school district the way non-charter public schools are.] , which have a greater degree of autonomy than a normal public school, to allow them to offer programs that are significantly different from regular public schools operated by district school boards. Charter schools report directly to the province, bypassing their local district school board. Alberta, which passed enabling legislation in 1994, is the only province in Canada to have them. They are similar in many ways to charter schools in the United States.

Legal framework

Source: [http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/educationsystem/charter_hndbk.pdf Alberta charter school handbook (PDF)]

Public

As public schools, they are fully funded by the province. They do not charge tuition for admission, although they may charge schools fees, like other public schools. There can be only a maximum of 15Fact|date=February 2007 charter schools in the province at anytime. They cannot be affiliated with any religion, but may teach religious classes, like other public schools. If they have the space, they must accept any student who would be eligible to attend a regular public school in the area. This rule does allow for certain types of selectivity, such as a single-gender schools. A major exception granted charters, is that they are not required to meet special needs of certain students. For instance, they may not provide services to mentally disabled students, which the public district board must.

Exactly, how open charter schools are to students, is one point of controversy between supporters and opponents. For instance, legally, charter schools can not expel a student for behavioral problems ( [http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/educationsystem/charter_hndbk.pdf page 3 of handbook] ).

Charter

As the name implies, each school is given a charter, which defines what is unique about the school. It's a kind of agreement between the provincial government and the school, on the purpose of the school. The charter must be renewed after a set a number of years. Failure to meet the terms of the charter, will cause it be cancelled.

Before a charter can be set-up, the supporters of it must first approach the local district school board, and request an alternate program be established to meet their needs. Only after the district board refuses the application, can they then approach the province. Such refusals are common, since district boards are rarely willing or able to grant the level of autonomy wanted by applicants. The province will only grant the charter if it feels legitimate goals in education can not be met within the district school board.

For each charter school, a special volunteer board is set up, with powers similar to a normal district school board; but limited to a single school. The charter board controls the executive of the school, who handles day-to-day operations, and is accountable directly to the provincial government. The board must have representation from parents and teachers.

To remain in existence, a charter school must prove ongoing success in meeting the terms of its charter. If it fails to do so, it will be terminated. Also, a charter may voluntarily decide to hand over the school to the local public school board, if it feels its better run by local district school board; thereby dissolving the charter.

Curriculum

The province has a single curriculum for all schools in the province, public, separate, and charter. To graduate students in charter schools, must pass the diploma examinations as any other student in Alberta.

taffing

Charter schools can not directly employ members of the public teachers union, known as the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA). However, they may hire them through their district school board. However, as a practical manner, charters and the ATA are often incompatible. Charters often emphasize parental involvement in all matters, including teacher accountability. The ATA does not accept this in its collective bargaining agreements. It tries to prevent any process that allows, what it sees as, political interference in professional practices. Further, the Province of Alberta currently prohibits certified teachers working in charter schools from being active members of The Alberta Teachers' Association.

Charter schools

Current charters

The following is from an [http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/ei/schauth/lookup.asp?type=charter official list of charter schools in Alberta] (current as of 2006). As charter schools tend to be new and small, the exact grade range is more likely to change than with older and larger schools. Schools late in completing required reports to the provincial government may be excluded from the list.

Former charters

The Global Learning Academy was once the largest charter school in the province, with 480 students. However mismanagement and financial problems caused it to fail in 1998. It went in trusteeship before finally having the province shut it down. [Sheppard, Robert, "A SCHOOL FAILURE" , Maclean's, ISSN: 0024-9262, Accession Number: 799499, July 6, 1998, Vol. 111, Issue 27]

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/educationsystem/charter_hndbk.pdf Alberta charter school handbook (PDF)]
* [http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/04-feb-06/profile01.shtml University of Saskatchewan On Campus News] (February 6, 2004)- Article discusses findings of professor who studied charter schools in Alberta, and is critical of them.
* [http://www.societyforqualityeducation.org Society for Quality Eduation] A short documentary about Alberta charter schools can be viewed through this website