Do charters really differ that much from regular public schools?

[Anonymous]

I've been a teacher for over 15 years. When we moved to DC, I accepted a last minute charter job because I didn't have my ducks in a row to get my license transferred.

Yeah, it was bad. I think the issue is that even with the best of intentions, part of the point of a charter is to show that the experiment works. So, there is a refusal to engage in the hard questions from admins and while there is compliance, if there is a way to comply and save money, they are going to do it. It's the minimum not what's best for the child. For a SPED parent, that means if your case is too expensive, expect a fight and poor treatment for your child. The hope is you get fed up with the slow process and just leave. There are some charters that seem to do a better job, but it's inconsistent and the easiest area to find an issue. SPED is horrible. ESOL is also bad, fwiw. I also spent three years in DCPS and my overall view is that school performance is so poor that even the poorest performing school in FCPS would be viewed as a HRC.

What's interesting is that I work in a Title I elementary in FCPS. Oh my God, it's a million times better. The students, who struggle the most in the county, would fall in the mid to high range at my previous charter and DCPS school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Charter school teachers don't need a teaching license!

I worked at a charter school. While I wasn't required to have a state license I did have to meet the state credentialing standards (transcript documenting the degree in my content area, passing test scores, etc) before they would hire me. Perhaps it was just this particular charter school. Seemed silly to me that they just don't require licensing since they are asking for the same documentation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Charter school teachers don't need a teaching license!

I worked at a charter school. While I wasn't required to have a state license I did have to meet the state credentialing standards (transcript documenting the degree in my content area, passing test scores, etc) before they would hire me. Perhaps it was just this particular charter school. Seemed silly to me that they just don't require licensing since they are asking for the same documentation.

More is required than that for at teaching license.

In addition to what you mentioned above, you must demonstrate completion of a state-approved teacher education program relevant to the subject and grade you would be teaching. There are some alternative pathways though https://osse.dc.gov/page/educator-credential-requirements-overview#teacherinitial