A Single Approach: Education in Public and Charter SchoolsSchool Choice: Two words that together describe a multitude of educational options for today's students. These include charter schools and public schools; public schools stand the test of time, and charter schools are at the forefront of a revolution in educational change. Surprisingly, these two educational institutions have more in common than you might think, but they maintain their differences. Key differences between charter and public schools include the approach to education, funding, level of government involvement, and enrollment practices. Despite these differences, both charter and public schools share the following characteristics: tuition-free for students, required to demonstrate adequate annual progress on state standardized tests, and status as public institutions. Charter schools are educational institutions that share common characteristics with public schools and at the same time have key differences that make them unique. Charter schools and public schools share a definition as public educational institutions; however, key differences remain within this explanation. Charter schools are independent public educational institutions that have the freedom to operate within a specific educational focus, such as mathematics and science or agricultural science. (WestEd, 2010) In the context of this specific educational focus; Charter schools tailor curriculum, assessments, program objectives, and outcome measures toward the students served by their charter. (WestEd, 2010) Unlike charter schools, public schools are educational institutions that operate under the direction of a school board in conjunction with the state and federal government whose rules and laws sanction their day-to-day operations… mid-paper. ... .. and the federal government on a per-pupil enrollment basis, yet they do not have the luxury of imposing taxes like public schools do. Finally, charter schools are independent of the geographic boundaries a district imposes on public schools. Works CitedMN Association of Charter Schools. (2010, November 8). MN Charter School Facts and Statistics. Retrieved November 5, 2010, from MN Association of Charter Schools: http://www.mncharterschools.org/page/1/facts.jspMN Charter School Resource Center. (2007, August 29). What is a Charter School Center for School Change. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from Minnesota Charter School Resource Center: http://www.centerforschoolchange.org/index2.php?...WestEd. (2010, November 8). Answers to the most frequently asked questions. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from US Charter Schools: http://www.uscharterschools.org/lpt/uscs_docs/171