An Overview on Charter Schools: Historical Rise and Opposing Views

Abstract

As a relatively new concept in the American public school model, charter schools have emerged as a critical issue in education. Gaining political momentum in the call for K-12 educational reforms of the 1980s, charter schools have expanded throughout the United States, in both number and scope. Alongside the speedy growth of the charter school movement, support and opposition have both developed. In this charter schools overview, we explore the historical background of charter schools, highlight the various types, examine varying viewpoints, and then place charters in the context of Texas.