Tucson-area students are taking advantage of school choice by attending more charter schools, as well as other nontraditional schools and programs. “Families and students are looking for choice and finding it in charters,” said Association President and CEO Eileen Sigmund.
Story Published in the Arizona Daily Star on Aug. 29, 2015
For some children, their classroom might be in their neighborhood public school. For others, it might be on a private or charter school campus — or even in front of a computer screen or on a museum visit with a parent.
Two of every 10 students in Pima County are enrolled in nontraditional schools, a category that includes charter, private, online and home schools. The number of students choosing nontraditional options is growing each year — and some education experts say that could be to the detriment of traditional district schools.
Sharon Schisel used to send her kids to district schools but says she witnessed inappropriate behavior there, including bullying, and the values she taught at home were “constantly being undone” at school.
She enrolled her oldest son in an online school after he finished fifth grade. The family enjoyed the additional time together and her son was doing well academically, so she enrolled her other children to online schools as well.
