Cyber Charter School

The cyber charter school stems from the original idea of a charter school.  Charter schools began in 1990, which were established on the premise that bureaucracy would be diminished by putting the management of the schools into the hands of a community group, teachers, parents and students with the sole intention of using more diverse forms of educational philosophies, and social and cultural lifestyles.  This was then further expanded to include new technology and new media, through the use of the Internet, E-messaging systems and emails, to give students the opportunity to do global learning, whether using a computer at home or at school.  This would allow the students to stick within educational curriculum guidelines, whilst being able to stay in constant communication with their teachers on a one-to-one basis.  In some cases, home based students are able to get further tutoring and mentorship from their teachers, send their assignments in via email and then attend regular classrooms for tests and exams.

The strength of this movement as an alternative method of school education has been encouraged by the United States’ ‘No Child Left Behind Act (2001)’, which gives parents the right to remove their children from a failing school to a school environment that best suits them.  However, cyber charter schools have faced a lot of opposition from educators who have claimed that students in cyber charter schools are not doing any better than those in regular schools.  Others argue that the cyber charter schools are in fact allowing parents to maintain better control over their child’s development, safety and ability to think outside the box.  It is believed that children and adults who are able to study through cyber charter schools are much more able to be independent and responsible, whilst expanding their knowledge of the world around them by being able to access for more resources thanks to the Internet.

There are many pros and cons in such education.  As with all types of education, some children and adults are better able to learn in a more traditional classroom setting with a regular teaching, in the presence of other students, and learning through traditional educational methods.  However, it is apparent, as with the many adult students who gain their education through distance learning, which is now mainly done via the Internet and computers, that some children may benefit more from the cyber charter school.

A cyber charter school is best found by looking online.  There are many sites that give information that are very valuable to parents.  It is usually recommended to visit the actual schools, talking to the administrators and teachers, and get as much information about the services they provide to students.  Things that should be considered are:

• Student and teacher communications
• Software support - assignments and homework
• Tutoring possibilities

A cyber charter school is not for every child or person, but for some it does work.  With a little research and effort, this type of education may be just what you are looking for.