Charter schools proliferating

Charter schools continue to proliferate throughout the state. Thursday, the state charter board approved another eight schools — several in Utah County — to be forwarded for state school board approval.

Since 1999 charter enrollment numbers have approximately doubled each year.

Charter schools made their Utah debut in 1999 with six schools in operation. In 2002 that number had jumped to 13 and currently Utah has 28 in operation.

Why the growth? Some charter leaders say it has to do with the schools' successes — so far every school has passed scrutiny as measured by federally mandated tests. Others say parents like the idea of having educational alternatives.

"This explosive growth emphasizes how many families are looking for a choice," said Royce Van Tassell, executive director of Education Excellence Utah. "Utah parents want the best education for their children, and they're willing to sacrifice to ensure their children get it."

Charter schools are public schools that offer parents a choice in public education along with some flexibility in teaching. But they still follow the state core curriculum and testing laws.

Though each school is subject to open enrollment, Utah charters offer programs such as dual language programs, early college, arts, film and technical programs. They range from being as small as 40 students to 530 students.

This fall 16 charter applications were up for approval. The state charter board gave the nod to eight schools and has three more still on the burner awaiting further evaluation. Five were denied but not cut off.

"We still want to continue working with them (the schools that were denied)," said charter board president Brian Allen. "We found merit in all of these applications and want to continue working with them in (getting) them ready to be in the next group."

Patricia Bradley, charter board director, said in considering applications the board looks specifically at curriculum plans, disability services and management and government.

The eight new schools are American Preparatory Academy-West in Jordan School District, Beehive Science and Technology Academy in Granite, Lincoln Academy in Alpine, North Star Academy in Jordan, Odyssey Charter School in Alpine, Ronald Reagan Academy in Nebo, Utah County Academy of Sciences in Nebo, Alpine and Provo and Wasatch Peak Academy in Davis.

Those schools are now awaiting ratification from the state school board Dec. 3.

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