The Charter School Question

See what it's like to become a charter school teacher

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If you are interested in teaching, but aren't sure a traditional public school is right for you, consider becoming a public charter school teacher. Charter schools are public schools that receive public funding, but are operated independently and are not subject to many of the regulations that apply to other public schools. Instead, charter schools are guided by a contract called a "charter" that describes the school's mission, structure and performance requirements. With the freedom to adopt innovative educational models, public charter schools offer many opportunities to find a school that fits your personal teaching style.

How are charter schools structured?

There is no standard charter school model. Charter schools aim to provide an educational experience that is different from conventional public schools and results in high student achievement, but charter school founders have chosen many different approaches to meet these goals.

Charter schools may be developed around various areas of focus:

• A particular teaching method, such as the Montessori method
• A specific subject, such as math, art or music
• Theme-based curriculum, such as environmental sustainability or language immersion
• Serving a specific population, such as "at-risk" students
• Personnel policies or teacher payment strategies, such as merit based pay

What is it like to teach at a public charter school?

Although your charter school experience will depend largely on the individual school you choose, charter schools do have some common characteristics: Compared to other public schools, they are more likely to be located in urban areas, typically have smaller classes, and are less likely to be unionized.

Many new charter schools have a "start-up" feel. If you believe in the school's mission and have an entrepreneurial spirit, you could find this environment exciting. However, they can close if they cease to meet the charter standards or if they can't attract enough students. If you want a more stable environment, you might prefer teaching at a traditional public school or a more established charter school.

However, many offer perks you won't find at traditional public schools. According to a report by the Center for American Progress, a primary recruiting strategy for many charter schools is to attract teachers with "intangible draws such as work environment, training, or flexible leave policies." If you are attracted to those kinds of incentives, becoming a charter school teacher might be for you.

How do charter school teacher salaries compare?

Some charter school teacher compensation plans are based on the salary schedule for public school teachers within the district, while other schools might offer higher or lower salaries, depending on their charter.

Because pay scales can vary widely, you'll want to learn about the structure when you apply. Be sure to consider any bonus system when evaluating your charter school teacher salary. A study for the Thomas Fordham Foundation found that almost 46 percent of charter schools offer performance-based pay incentives. The study found that the merit pay added 5 to 10 percent to the typical charter school teacher salary.

Do I need to be certified to become a charter school teacher?

State certification requirements for public charter school teachers vary. Some states require them to have the same certification and qualifications as other public school teachers, while other states have more flexible requirements. For example, some may not require certification for experienced professionals with expertise in a particular field or for those teaching subjects that aren't considered core academic subjects.

Even if certification is not required, it may be to your advantage. Certification could help you negotiate a higher charter school teacher salary. Several states require certification for a certain percentage of teachers at a charter school. In those cases, being certified could give you an edge over other applicants.

What is the demand for charter school teachers?

Since the first legislation passed in Minnesota in 1991, public charter schools have become a fixture of the American educational system. Today they are part of the public school system in forty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. According to the Center for Education Reform, in 2008 there were over 4,500 charter schools serving more than 1.3 million students in the United States.

According to the National Alliance for Charter Schools, approximately 365,000 students are currently on waiting lists to attend charter schools. Because they are proving popular with the public, the need for teachers interested in this line of work is likely to grow.

With a diversity of schools to choose from, and more schools opening every year, charter schools offer a variety of educational experiences for students and teachers alike. If you are looking to teach in an innovative educational setting or want to find a school that shares your educational philosophy or passionate interest, you may find your fit at a public charter school.