Why Independent Charter Schools?


The Network of Independent Charter Schools is designed to support teachers, administrators and trustees develop best practices and collaborate with one another and to help independent "mom and pop" charter schools succeed. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, it delivers a comprehensive and integrated array of services and resources�free of charge—to help improve the capacity of teachers, administrators and trustees at independent charter schools. Join now!

 

 

Unique Qualities

Independent charter schools are unique from other public schools. These "mom and pop" schools typically have:

 

  • Strong roots in their communities.
  • Unique ablility to address the needs of students and families within their communities.
  • Partnerships with community leaders, organizations, agencies and institutions.
  • Access to community resources to support instruction and enrichment.
  • Ability to specifically target and serve students with special needs or considerations.
  • Position as educational "outliers" that can take public schools in new and positive directions.

 

Network Challenges

Independent charter schools also face serious challenges:

 

  • Limited access to capital and other resources.
  • Programs and policies are typically developed "from scratch" to meet specific community needs but this puts pressure on the schools to "get it right" from the start or risk losing their charter.
  • Educators and administrators in "mom and pop" charter schools often exist in isolation and lack the opportunities to communicate and collaborate with peers.

 

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Get Answers Now!
from experts at the Online Hotline for Independent Charter Schools.

Network Answers

  • Facilitate the development and growth of an inter-connected national community of independent charter schools and their teachers, administrators and trustees.
  • Provide direct and customized training and technical assistance to Network Model Charter Schools in the Boston metro area and NYC.
  • Promote and facilitate collaboration and professional growth for teachers and administrators within individual charter schools across the country.
  • Support communication and community-building among teachers and administrators of the nation's independent charter schools.
  • Connect educators virtually at independent charter schools to improve instruction and provide "mom and pop" charter schools with direct technical assistance through an Online Hotline.
  • Establish a comprehensive website that connects and supports independent charter schools nationwide.

Join the Network now!


Network of Independent Charter Schools, A Project of the Center for Educational Innovation – Public Education Association (CEI-PEA)
Public Education Association, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 300, New York, NY 10036, 212.302.8800
The information, resources, guidance and advice of the Network of Independent Charter Schools do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Specially, views expressed by individuals in videos, blogs, resources, forums, message boards and other interactive components of this website represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Center for Educational Innovation-Public Education Association or the U.S. Department of Education.