EDUCATION REPORT - Charter schools

EDUCATION REPORT
–
April 4, 2002: Charter¹ schools

By Jerilyn Watson

This is the VOA Special English Education Report.

American public education has changed in recent years. One change is that
increasing numbers of American parents and teachers are starting independent
public schools called charter schools.

In Nineteen-Ninety-One, there were no charter schools in the United States. Today,
more than two-thousand-three-hundred charter schools operate in thirty-four states
and the District of Columbia. Five-hundred-seventy-five-thousand students attend
these schools. The students are from five years of age through eighteen or older.

A charter school is created by groups of parents, teachers and community members.
It is similar in some ways to a traditional public school. It receives tax money to operate just as other public
schools do. The amount it receives depends on the number of students. The charter school must prove to local or
state governments that its students are learning². These governments provide the school with the agreement, or
charter that permits it to operate.

Unlike a traditional public school, however, the charter school does not have to obey most laws governing public
schools. Local, state or federal³ governments cannot tell it what to teach.

Each school can choose its own goals and decide the ways it wants to reach those goals. Class sizes usually are
smaller than in many traditional public schools. Many students and parents say teachers in charter schools can be
more creative.

However, state education agencies⁴, local education-governing committees and unions often oppose charter
schools. They say these schools may receive money badly needed by traditional public schools. Experts say some
charter schools are doing well, while others are struggling.

Congress⁵ provided⁶ two-hundred-million dollars for establishing charter schools in the Two-Thousand-Two
federal budget. But often the schools say they lack enough money for their programs. Many also lack needed
space.

For example, many of the thirty -six charter schools in the District of Columbia hold classes in crowded buildings.
These schools have almost eleven-thousand students. District officials say they have provided fourteen former
school buildings for charter education. Yet, charter-school supporters say officials should try harder to find more
space.

This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Jerilyn Watson.

Email this article to a friend

Printer Friendly Version

1 charter   

n.特许状，执照，宪章；v.特许，发给特许执照

参考例句：

• This new law amounts to a tax evader's charter.这项新法律简直成了为逃税者开的许可证。
• We will charter a steamer to convey the goods.我们将租一艘船运送这批货物。

2 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

3 federal   

adj.联盟的；联邦的；(美国)联邦政府的

参考例句：

• Switzerland is a federal republic.瑞士是一个联邦共和国。
• The schools are screaming for federal aid.那些学校强烈要求联邦政府的援助。

4 agencies   

n.代理( agency的名词复数 )；服务机构；（政府的）专门机构；代理（或经销）业务（或关系）

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations. 联合国有许多专门机构。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The project is funded by the World Bank and other multilateral agencies. 这项计划由世界银行和其他多国机构资助。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 Congress   

n.(代表)大会；(C-:美国等国的)国会，议会

参考例句：

• There were some days to wait before the Congress.大会的召开还有几天时间。
• After 18 years in Congress,he intented to return to private life.在国会供职18年后，他打算告老还乡。

6 provided   

conj.假如，若是；adj.预备好的，由...供给的

参考例句：

• Provided it's fine we will have a pleasant holiday.如果天气良好，我们的假日将过得非常愉快。
• I will come provided that it's not raining tomorrow.如果明天不下雨，我就来。