What is a Charter School? |
In Florida, it is a public school owned or operated by a not-for profit (501c) corporation. | |
| Where does it get its money? | The operational money comes from public school funds on a per student basis. Other money can come through grants, donations or other methods of earning money, but no tuition can be charged. | |
| Who owns the CRC- Charter School? | The Children's Reading Center is the owner of the Children's Reading Center Charter School. | |
| Why is it called a charter school? | The schools permission to operate is awarded by the local school district and State of Florida and is said to be the school's charter to operate. A charter contract is the legal document detailing the relationship. | |
| Does the contract set all the rules? | Actually, Florida State Law sets most of the rules. The contract just adds the details fitting into these rules. | |
| How is there financial accountability? | Through independent audits and reporting to the local school district and directly to the State of Florida. | |
| What is the FCAT? | A series of state standardized tests being used for school grading and qualifying student progression. | |
| Do our students take FCAT? | Yes, this is a requirement for essentially all public school students. | |
| How can a privately owned school be public? | The school operates under state public school rules with fair non-sectarian admissions, it uses public money and it is free to all students. It is also required to provide or arrange for provision of such services required of all public schools including transportation and food service. | |
| What about educational accountability? | First, the school is accountable to the children and parents, secondly it is accountable to the school district to satisfy the goals established in the charter contract agreed to by the district and the school. | |
| Are all charter schools the same? | Absolutely not. Within Florida there are almost as many types of schools as there are total number of schools. | |
| How is the school governed? | Click this box to go to the page on Governance. | |
| What can a charter school do differently? | Charter schools are given wide latitude in how they provide education, and less on how they manage money and provide for child safety. If a charter school is not different, it has lost its justification for existence. | |
| Does the local school district control how and what can be taught? | No, the school is free to develop its own curriculum, organize its school day and establish its own teaching methods. There may be state requirements that do apply. | |
| How is the CRC Charter School different? | Click this box to go to the page on Academic Program. This is a start to the answer. | |
| How qualified are the teachers at CRCCS? | We have a highly qualified staff according to state standards. | |
| Do you just teach reading? | No, we strive for a comprehensive program. | |
| What about my other children? | Siblings of students in the school have priority admission. | |
| How can I help? | Time, money, contributions in kind, and prayers. This is a community based project. Join us. | |