Instead of regulations that put every district school into the same mold, charter schools can serve a wide diversity of students and families with a wide diversity of learning environments. In the Los Angeles case cited by Orfield, he fails to note that the charter school system of checks and balances successfully prohibited the opening of a Scientology-based school. Because charter schools must lay out their educational philosophy, as well as how it will be implemented, examples like this are exposed, and disposed of, before the school can open its doors. Furthermore, because each school is required to submit and adhere to a charter, or contract with a sponsor, all family know what they are getting when they choose a charter school. Charter schools extend that choice to all families.
Charter schools are the only truly public schools.
Magnet schools, for example, are far less equitable than charter schools. Many have admission requirements, based either on race and ethnicity or on achievement. District schools serve only those children in the neighborhood, and private schools may pick and choose which students gain admission. Only charter schools have absolutely no admission requirements. Let each school succeed or fail on its own merits.