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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A charter school is a public school that operates on the basis of a special contract, most often granted by a state or local school board. The contract or "charter" outlines the school’s mission, program, goals, service population, and method of performance evaluation. Charter schools have the freedom to innovate because they operate free of many rules and regulations that apply to traditional public schools. This greater autonomy is exercised in exchange for accountability to the sponsoring entity for adherence to the terms of the contract and for student academic performance. Learn more about charter schools.
Real-world practices connect student learning to adult life beyond the classroom. The frequency and scope of such practices vary due to the diversity of schools. However, real-world practices share the following characteristics:
What are some examples of real-world practices? Charter schools employ a broad array of real-world practices. Examples include:
Learn more about real-world practices by reading descriptions contributed by charter high schools.
Earlier research by Public Policy Associates defined "employer-linked" charter schools as a type of public charter school resulting from a partnership between an employer organization (or network) and educational entrepreneurs. CEW's early exploration suggests that employer-linked practices may be only a subset of a wider phenomenon. Reflecting the innovative spirit of the charter school movement, many charter high schools are implementing practices that connect students to the world beyond the classroom. What is the Charter High Schools & Real-World Practices Initiative? See Project Overview. How were schools selected for the initiative? The schools participating in this initiative were chosen after an exhaustive search of all charter schools in the U.S., extensive review and discussion, followed by an interview with a principal and/or school director. Each school meet the following criteria:
The schools were chosen to represent a diversity of locations, practices, school organizations, and populations of students served. Which schools are participating in the initiative? Read more about our Participants.
The Center on Education and Work (CEW) is leading the Charter High Schools and Real-World Practices Initiative. CEW is a unit within the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The project is funded through an US Department of Education Grant entitled, "Employer-Linked Charter School: From Applied Research to Technical Assistance." CEW's mission is to enhance career-related learning for all individuals in schools, colleges, and the workplace. Since 1964, CEW staff have conducted research, developed curriculum, written and disseminated educational products and provided technical assistance. Assisting the CEW is the Charter Friends National Network of St. Paul, MN, and the Charter School Partnership of Kansas City, MO. A panel consisting of participating high school staff, researchers, businesses, and representatives from the Charter Friends National Network and the Charter School Partnership advise CEW staff. What is the goal of the initiative? See Project Overview. Where can I learn more about charter schools? Click here to view our Resources page.
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