Home schooling is growing. And specialty schools abound, such as for music, athletics or tutoring. But parents pay for them. Public education is free to parents, or nearly so. Districts tell parents where their children go to school, how they ll get there, their class size, who their teacher will be, what she ll be teaching them, and how much parents are entitled to know about what s going on.
Charter schools offer more parental control.
They re an alternative to vouchers. Teachers, parents and students self-select to participate. They enjoy autonomy from many of the public schools regulations and restraints. Sometimes profit-focused business persons think they can do a better job than public schools. Charter school legislation provides their opportunity.