What is a Charter School?
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According to the California Department of Education website:
A charter school is a public school, and it may provide instruction in any of grades K-12. A charter school is usually created or organized by a group of teachers, parents and community leaders or a community-based organization, and it is usually sponsored by an existing local public school board or county board of education. Specific goals and operating procedures for the charter school are detailed in an agreement (or "charter") between the sponsoring board and charter organizers.
A charter school is generally exempt from most laws governing school districts, except where specifically noted in the law. California public charter schools are required to participate in the statewide assessment test, called the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) program. The law also requires that a public charter school be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations and prohibits the conversion of a private school to a charter school. Public charter schools may not charge tuition and may not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability.
WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION?
Bridges Charter School is built on a progressive educational philosophy. People often view this word in a social or political context. However, when it comes to education, it's important to know that the term "progressive" has its roots in late 19th century pedagogy. The term, at that time, was distinguished from the traditional curriculum of the day, which was more focused on the "traditional" preparation for a university.
Read Alfie Kohn's article:
PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION...WHY IT'S HARD TO BEAT, BUT ALSO HARD TO FIND