Final Term Paper of ENG180. School Systems Assignment

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School Systems
Selecting a school for a child can be quite daunting for most parents. This is because finding the ideal fit for the child in terms of the quality of education offered is paramount. The best schools to choose are those that align with the child’s educational goals, particularly when such goals have the potential to secure his or her future. Public schools and charter schools are two of the most popular school systems in the United States. While charter schools are in the real sense public institutions, there are some major differences between the two systems. All in all, both are more bound by government rules and regulations when compared to private schools.
Charter schools can be described as institutions that offer education that is funded by taxpayers, and which is free or very cheap. They are different from traditional public schools in that they admit students irrespective of the family’s level of income. Such a situation means that poor families get a chance to enroll their children in charter’s schools. While a charter school may be funded by taxpayers, it is autonomous and has no ties to its respective school district. Such autonomy is usually attained through contracts offered by local or state boards. Charter schools are usually allowed to operate independently as long as they show accountability for the education they offer. These institutions are usually formed by the community in order to attain certain academic goals or to bridge certain gaps. Consequently, not all charter schools are the same and could differ in terms of curriculum, teaching practices, and other academic factors (Sun & Ni, 157).
Funding for public schools is also done by taxpayers, with the institutions often enrolling students at a low cost. However, they have in place a strict curriculum that can only be revised periodically, and the same classes are offered irrespective of where the school is located. Public institutions are regulated by their respective school districts, and tend to tailor their curriculums in a way that they abide by the government’s education standards. They are held to account by state education boards, and are supposed to adhere to all rules and regulations related to education.
A notable similarity between public and charter schools is that they are not supposed to charge tuition fees, and should not subject students to entrance exams in order to gain admission. Also, both are mandated to take part in federal accountability...