Traditional public schools employ teachers to facilitate teaching and instruction, students participate in state assessment tests, students must abide by compulsory attendance requirements, and the core curriculum is aligned with state standards. Additional education options provided by traditional schools are Advanced Placement, college preparatory, career and technical courses, STEM, and other electives to enhance their learning experiences.
Initially, charter schools were envisioned as small, locally run, innovative schools that would be available to all students. In 1991, Minnesota became the first state to pass charter school legislation. Decades later, the number of states with charter schools has grown over the past twenty-five years to 43 states. There are over 6,500 charter schools serving over 2.5 million students.
Physical interaction by students and teachers is unnecessary, or only supplementary. This alternative schooling option is similar to traditional public schools in many ways including the utilization of teachers to facilitate teaching and instruction, students participate in state assessment tests, students must abide by compulsory attendance requirements, and the core curriculum is aligned with state standards.
Georgia law 20-2-690 provides guidance for parents regarding the requirements in Georgia. Georgia requires instruction in five content areas: mathematics, English/language arts, science, social studies, and reading. Parents or guardians who wish to teach their children at home in a home study program must submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education annually.