The truth about public charter and community choice schools

In a recent op-ed by Rep. Eric Matthews (Don’t be fooled by public charter school deception, Aug. 25), concerns were raised about the role of public charter schools in Montana’s education system. As a passionate advocate for high-quality education, I appreciate that Montana law now supports two different types of charter school options in public education: Community choice schools and public charter schools. However, it’s essential to clarify what public charter schools and community choice schools are and how they can serve our communities by providing high-quality and responsive public education options that meet the different needs of our students.  

Community choice schools and public charter schools are public schools. They are free, open to all students, and funded by taxpayers, just like other public schools. The key difference between charter schools and choice schools in Montana is that choice schools will operate with greater flexibility in exchange for heightened accountability. This means they will have the freedom to innovate in their teaching methods and curricular offerings to better serve their students while still taking standardized tests. 

Contrary to the claim that charter schools are “outside of public oversight and supervision,” these schools are, in fact, subject to oversight by their authorizing body, which in Montana is the Board of Public Education. Similarly, choice schools will be overseen and supervised by a public agency, the Community Choice Schools Commission and even some local school boards will have the authority to authorize. However, if a choice school fails to meet specific performance goals or fails to meet community needs, it may be closed. No other school model has this level of accountability, not even your local school district. This level of accountability ensures that only high performing community choice schools may continue to operate with public funds.   

Let me say this once and for all: public choice Schools and charter schools are not private schools. To state otherwise is to intentionally spread misinformation. Choice schools, like charter schools, are publicly funded, do not charge tuition and do not have entrance requirements. They are free, public and open to all students, regardless of income, and cannot discriminate based on a student’s needs, including special education requirements.  

Far from being controlled by “out-of-state corporations,” in many other states, charter schools are often founded by local educators, parents and community leaders who are deeply invested in having the power to choose the best type of school for their children. Starting this fall, Montana has 19 public charter schools opening, all of which are authorized by the BPE and run by local school boards. Eventually, choice schools will be governed by their own governing boards, allowing them a higher level of autonomy and responsiveness to the needs of teachers and students. This is one of the reasons why the Montana Legislature passed the Community Choice Schools Act in 2023 — to give communities the power and resources to open high-quality schools that can intentionally diversify academic programs across our state.  

Montana’s future community choice public schools will offer a valuable option for families seeking a learning environment that best meets their child’s needs. Whether it’s a focus on STEM, the arts, classical curriculum or career technical education, community choice schools and public charter schools can tailor their programs to serve different student populations. In doing so, they provide a much-needed alternative for families who may feel their children are not thriving in the traditional public-school setting to which they are assigned.  

The real question is not whether charter schools and choice schools should exist, but how we can best support all public schools — traditional, community choice and charter schools alike — in delivering a high-quality education to every Montana child. Adequate funding is undoubtedly a crucial part of the solution, but so is the willingness to embrace innovation and new ways of thinking about what public education can look like in today’s ever-changing world.  

Rather than pitting choice schools and charter schools against traditional public schools, we should be working together to ensure that every child in Montana has access to an education that prepares them for success in a rapidly changing world. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, we can create a public education system that truly serves all of our students. Montana’s citizens deserve nothing less.  

Go to ednavigatemt.com to learn more about Montana’s choice schools and charter schools.   

Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, is House majority leader.