Charter schools are public schools  of choice, created by teachers, parents and community organizers and sponsored by community and private organizations in concert with local boards of education. The "charter" establishing each school is essentially a performance contract, detailing the school's mission, goals, methods of assessment and ways to measure success. The school is accountable to its sponsors to produce improved academic results while adhering to the charter contract. The basic concept of a charter school is that it is permitted greater freedom in its educational practice in return for greater accountability to sponsors, parents and the rest of the general public. More general information on California charter schools can be found here.  

Success Stories

Of the six schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District which recently received the prestigious California Distinguished Schools Award, five were charter. A total of 19 charter schools received the award this year, a major achievement. 

The Promise Academy, a middle charter school founded in the New York City by the Harlem Children's Zone, produced stunning results with under-achieving students through rigorous assessments, a lack of bureaucracy and an ability to spend more time and resources in finding the right teachers. Read this glowing op-ed in the New York Times.

Heavy Focus On Testing May Be Problematic

While there have been successes, there are questions around whether or not standardized test scores truly measure the quality of education being provided by charter schools. A study of last year of Milwaukee's charter program (the biggest in the country) showed very mixed results.

How Does Enrollment Work?

The California Open Enrollment Act of 2010 allowed the enrollment of students in higher-performing schools without regard to the residence of their parents, opening the way for more accessibility to charter schools throughout the state. This interactive map will allow you to find charter schools near you. 

The Power of Sleep

While the temptation may be strong to cut down on your rest in an attempt to increase study time and achieve higher grades, research shows that while a lack of consistent sleep may hurt overall performance, people who get their rest are very likely to achieve better results.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests 8.5 to 9.25 hours a night for adolescents. Some tips to increase sleep time include creating a sleep schedule, staying away from caffeinated drinks after meals, and taking the critical time to wind down before sleep by removing computers, phones and TVs in favor of  activities like spending quiet time reading a good book, listening to soft music or dimming lights and allowing oneself to doze.  

Getting adequate rest is part of studying and test preparation and plays a crucial role in enabling students to achieve maximum success on a daily basis.