| {{B}}
Charter Schools{{/B}} American public education has changed in recant years. One change is that increasing numbers of American parents and teachers are starting independent public schools{{U}} (51) {{/U}}charter schools (特许学校). In 1991, there were no charter schools in the United States. Today, more than 2,300 charter schools{{U}} (52) {{/U}}in 34 states and the District of Columbia. 575,000 students{{U}} (53) {{/U}}these schools. The students are from 5 years of age through 18 or older. A charter school is{{U}} (54) {{/U}}by groups of parents, teachers and community (社区) members. It is similar in some ways{{U}} (55) {{/U}}a traditional public school. It receives tax money to operate just as other public schools do. The{{U}} (56) {{/U}}it receives depends on the number of students. The charter school must prove to local or state governments that its students are learning. These governments{{U}} (57) {{/U}}the school with the agreement, or charter that permits it to operate. Unlike a traditional public school,{{U}} (58) {{/U}}, the charter school does not have to obey most laws governing public schools. Local, state or federal governments cannot tell it what to{{U}} (59) {{/U}}. Each school can choose its own goals and decide the ways it wants to{{U}} (60) {{/U}}those goals. Class sizes usually are smaller than in many traditional public schools. Many students and parents say{{U}} (61) {{/U}}in charter schools can be more creative. However, state education agencies, local education-governing committees and unions often{{U}} (62) {{/U}}charter schools. They say these schools may receive money badly{{U}} (63) {{/U}}by traditional public schools. Experts say some charter schools are doing well while others are struggling. Congress provided 200 million dollars for{{U}} (64) {{/U}}charter schools in the 2002 federal budget (预算). But, often the schools say they lack enough money for their{{U}} (65) {{/U}}. Many also lack needed space. |