The NC New Schools Project is expanding services beyond the boundaries of local school districts to begin working with public charter schools that align with NCNSPâ??s vision and mission and are committed to teaching approaches and school design that succeed with all students. By partnering with charter schools that target high-need populations or those reflective of the local school district, NCNSP can help incubate new approaches that serve a statewide need to advance innovation.
Under state legislation approved in 1996, charter schools provide public school options within communities across North Carolina. Typically created to offer educational programming not found within the traditional K-12 system, these schools represent a wide array of grade levels, instructional approaches and school designs. Charter schools operate independently of local school districts, focused on the following goals:
â?¢ Improving student learning;
â?¢ Increasing learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for students who are identified as at risk of academic failure or academically gifted;
â?¢ Encouraging the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
â?¢ Creating new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunities to be responsible for the learning program at the school site; and
â?¢ Providing parents and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system.
