Charter Schools: A Voice and a Choice
This article was originally published by NevadaBusiness.com on June 1, 2023.
Since charter schools emerged in the 90s, legislators, educators, parents and communities across the state of Nevada have been working together to ensure student access to a personalized education. And, data suggests that what they are doing is working.
What is a Charter?
Charters are a concept which dates back centuries. Dr. Kimberly Regan, CEO and founder of Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School, explained, “The term actually stems from the Magna Carta which is Latin for The Great Charter.” In 1215, the Magna Carta helped establish the trajectory of the British and American legal systems. It remains a cornerstone in Western civilization.
In the case of education, charters serve as contracts that provide schools with the authority to run a program of their choosing as long as they meet state standards for education. The issuing body charters, or authorizes, those running the school. Each charter school must meet state requirements, just like local public schools, and in the same way they also receive public funding. In Nevada, the SPCSA authorizes public charter schools and conducts annual reports to ensure they are held to high standards.
The charter network in Nevada has several sponsoring bodies but is nested within the Nevada Department of Education. Charter schools are sponsored either by the SPCSA, a local district, or a university.
Dr. Regan elaborated on the process, “Their sponsor is responsible to oversee accountability and compliance to whatever laws and legislation [are] in place to make us accountable as educational institutions. [It also is responsible to] push the needle to bring higher-level academics for all students and more opportunities for all students.” This accountability helps regulate charter schools and ensure they meet and exceed expectations.