School choice is changing the face of education in the United States in 2012. In spite of the increasing cost of public school education, parents are no longer satisfied that it is preparing their children for the competitive world of the 21st century. They are turning to home schooling or charter schools that meet their expectations. In some cities, public schools are being closed and sold off, some being bought by newly-founded or expanding charter schools as the demand for the alternatives to public schools continues to grow.
Teachers trained to teach in public schools are usually members of organizations such as the National Education Association. Teachers at charter schools are not required to belong to any group or teachers’ unions. Parents who home school do not need a credential of any kind. In 2011, it has been estimated that over 2 million students are being taught at home with that number increasing at the rate of 8% a year
As a sign of the changing educational scene, GBTV, that is only available on the Internet, one segment of its programming, Liberty TreeHouse, is described as ‘primarily aimed at children who are being taught at home by their parents. It covers the “whys and wherefores of the day's news - the things the grownups are talking about - and a look at the places where the news is unfolding. History, Science, Video Games, and the Arts, sliced, diced, and discussed.’
Students and parents are choosing charter schools in increasing numbers, both in cities and towns, as school choice becomes more prevalent. In most cases, charter schools hire only credentialed teachers, many of whom have lost their public schools jobs due to cutbacks in funding or have left public school teaching in response to the requirement that they belong to a union in order to teach.
The National Charter School Resource Center provides on-demand resources, information and technical assistance to support high-quality charter school. It evaluates the effects of charter schools and disseminates information about successful schools.
The face of education is changing rapidly in the US as public schools have come into scrutiny and found wanting. Some blame its failure on the bureaucratic control of administrators and the teachers’ unions. Today, most colleges and classes are still aimed at teachers that plan to go into the public school sector. To meet the realities of the 21st century, home schooling and charter schools should not be looked at as a threat, but rather successful models the public schools should emulate if they are not to become obsolete.
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