What factors affect a parent’s choice when deciding between a public, private or charter school choice for their children?

I have noticed parents are having a difficult time deciding how to choose a school for their child. Some common questions I hear are: Should I choose a private school, or a public school? What about these new charter schools? What type of school will offer my child the best chance for success? How should I evaluate the best choice for my family and especially my child? These concerns are real when the stakes are so high. Choosing the right school can have a lifetime impact on a child’s love for learning.

During my career in education, I have had a unique opportunity to get an insider’s look at most options. I have been a teacher in both public and private schools. I have served as an administrator in a private school. I held a post in the regional office of the State Department of Education. Finally, I am currently serving on a charter school board while operating a private tutoring and test preparation company.

As a parent, I chose both public education and private education for my three children. Today, charter schools are another added choice that we have here in Shreveport. Charter schools are funded by state dollars provided under Minimum Foundation Funding just like a public school, but, like private schools, the charter school has a separate governing board. The charter school board is an organized group of volunteers who, collectively, are legally and morally accountable to the community for the health, vitality and effectiveness of the charter school. Similar to their public counterpart, the charter school board is responsible for ensuring that resources are used wisely and high standards for academic performance are met, but, unlike private school boards, they are exclusively focused on one school only. In contrast, the Caddo Parish School Board has to make difficult decisions on allocating limited resources among all public schools.

With so many school choices available, how do you choose which option makes the most sense for your family and your child?

First, decide which factors are most important for you and your child. Make a list and evaluate potential choices using your personal guidelines. Some of the most common factors I hear from parents are outlined below.

Often, the first factor that comes to most people’s mind is money, and that is a big one! The cost of private schooling from elementary through high school can be a large financial commitment. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition cost for private schools is $17,441.

Class size can be a very important factor for many parents. Class size can be crucial for a child who might get overwhelmed by a larger class size or a large school setting. Typically, private schools can offer smaller class sizes, but not always. In my opinion, 15:1 is the optimum class size for the elementary/ middle grades.

If your child needs special accommodations, whether it’s for a gifted child, a child with learning disabilities, or a child with physical disabilities, you must consider whether a school can provide these services. Typically, private schools may not have the funding for additional staff and equipment needed for special services. Public schools and charter schools routinely provide testing on campus for suspected problems, but the time frame for testing a child can be lengthy if there is a back log of students.

Many parents may choose a school for athletic or extracurricular offerings. Some schools may offer greater sports participation opportunities while others offer the highest level of academic competition, and still others may have unique club offerings.

All parents are concerned with the quality of the education and the qualification of teachers offered by the school. Today, most schools require teachers to be well-qualified and certified in their field of teaching. Teachers and schools are subject to rigorous curriculum guidelines and assessments. Of course, private and charter schools have more flexibility and control in setting standards. However, most schools routinely prepare students for the next level. National studies continue to show that students educated at either public or private schools are equally prepared for college, and there is little significant difference in test scores.

Parents are concerned about how decisions are handled at the school and the type of environment that each school provides. Private schools often are selective in admission standards, while public and charter schools are prevented by law from turning potential students away, with limited exceptions.

There are several other factors you may consider important when making a school choice. For example, religious affiliation, academic awards, acceptance of alternative perspectives, racial diversity, or language offerings may be high on your list. Ultimately, your list of important factors will be utilized to evaluate available choices.

Many of the factors can be evaluated by the wealth of information publicly available. Do your homework, and when you have narrowed your choices to just a few schools, it’s time to schedule several visits. Ultimately, parents and educators and local leaders should all be working together in collaboration to provide the best possible education for the children in a particular school. Call the schools you are considering and make an appointment and ask questions of the administration. Take a tour and see where your child and your family will best fit. School is where our children spend many hours every day, so it needs to be a good fit for everyone. Schools should strive to meet or exceed the morals, values and special needs of our children. Administrators should always be ready and willing to provide you with a tour and give you information you need to make an informed decision. Typically, one environment will stand out above another, depending on the personality of your child and the factors that are most important to your family.

Having options for choosing the best schools creates competition and raises the standards for all schools to promote high standards and to encourage constant evaluation of curriculum development. Whether you choose a private school, a charter school or a public education, having multiple choices makes sense.

Beth Logan Woods is owner and director of At Home Academy Test Prep, where she conducts small group ACT/SAT test prep classes and has a staff of tutors. Beth is a certified IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) professional and consults with students and families to assist in reaching their goals in prepping for and choosing schools, colleges or programs. For more information, call 465-6475, visit www.athomeacademy.net or by e-mail at athomeacad@gmail.com.