Charter schools were toted as a viable alternative to public schools. Access to a better education, a more balanced input from parents, teachers and school administrators and the chance for larger numbers of students to be taught by teachers who reflect their cultural background are some of the advantages that charter schools were supposed to have over public schools.
In New York, NYC charter school attorneys have played a role in the success of the school. They have done this by helping to review public records, working with administrators to determine which records should be made public and addressing school policy concerns.
Although some of the advantages associated with charter schools are reported to have been realized, work remains to be done. For example, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools says that, "Fifteen of the 16 found that students in charter schools do better in school than their traditional school peers. One study found mixed results. The most recent of those studies, by the Center for Research on Educational Outcomes at Stanford University, found that charter schools do a better job teaching low income students, minority students, and students who are still learning English than traditional schools."
Advantages aside, after educating students for more than a decade, charter schools are starting to experience a few challenges. Many of the schools are located in urban areas, possibly limiting the ability for students living outside urban areas to attend the schools. Mobility and access for disabled students has also reared its head.
NYC charter school attorneys are being called in to address these and other issues, by meeting with members of local and state regulatory agencies. These NYC charter school attorneys are also working with schools to guide administrators through specific issues that are affecting charter schools.
Some of these specific issues include forming a school board, interpreting school laws and documenting legal recommendations and actions. Topics NYC charter school attorneys counsel school administrators and board members on include charter applications and petitions, by-laws, employee handbooks, applications for tax exemption and student discipline procedures.
Guidance on how to lease real estate, gain financing to lease or buy school facilities as well as how to deal with conflicts and disagreements with parents are other issues the attorneys advise charter school administrators on. Advice experienced attorneys give their charter school clients can help the schools avoid lawsuits, resolve disputes in a timely and ethical manner and treat each child with dignity and fairness.
Furthermore, because charter schools have been found to enroll a larger number of students with learning disabilities than traditional schools do, it's important that administrators at the schools understand laws that impact persons with disabilities. For example, the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates says that, "Eligible students with disabilities have a right to FAPE and cannot be excluded from "choice” programs as a result of their disability, nor can they be required to waive services as a condition of participation in any publicly funded choice program."
Simply having an attorney's license is not enough though. To be able to truly advise their clients, the attorneys must have prior experience advising other charter schools. They must also have expert knowledge on issues and laws facing charter schools.
In New York, NYC charter school attorneys have played a role in the success of the school. They have done this by helping to review public records, working with administrators to determine which records should be made public and addressing school policy concerns.
Although some of the advantages associated with charter schools are reported to have been realized, work remains to be done. For example, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools says that, "Fifteen of the 16 found that students in charter schools do better in school than their traditional school peers. One study found mixed results. The most recent of those studies, by the Center for Research on Educational Outcomes at Stanford University, found that charter schools do a better job teaching low income students, minority students, and students who are still learning English than traditional schools."
Advantages aside, after educating students for more than a decade, charter schools are starting to experience a few challenges. Many of the schools are located in urban areas, possibly limiting the ability for students living outside urban areas to attend the schools. Mobility and access for disabled students has also reared its head.
NYC charter school attorneys are being called in to address these and other issues, by meeting with members of local and state regulatory agencies. These NYC charter school attorneys are also working with schools to guide administrators through specific issues that are affecting charter schools.
Some of these specific issues include forming a school board, interpreting school laws and documenting legal recommendations and actions. Topics NYC charter school attorneys counsel school administrators and board members on include charter applications and petitions, by-laws, employee handbooks, applications for tax exemption and student discipline procedures.
Guidance on how to lease real estate, gain financing to lease or buy school facilities as well as how to deal with conflicts and disagreements with parents are other issues the attorneys advise charter school administrators on. Advice experienced attorneys give their charter school clients can help the schools avoid lawsuits, resolve disputes in a timely and ethical manner and treat each child with dignity and fairness.
Furthermore, because charter schools have been found to enroll a larger number of students with learning disabilities than traditional schools do, it's important that administrators at the schools understand laws that impact persons with disabilities. For example, the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates says that, "Eligible students with disabilities have a right to FAPE and cannot be excluded from "choice” programs as a result of their disability, nor can they be required to waive services as a condition of participation in any publicly funded choice program."
Simply having an attorney's license is not enough though. To be able to truly advise their clients, the attorneys must have prior experience advising other charter schools. They must also have expert knowledge on issues and laws facing charter schools.