What’s The Difference between Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools?

Charter schools are typically public schools founded and created with a specific goal in mind. Some charter schools specialize in one area of study, like music or math, these types of schools are usually called magnet schools. Some charter schools are run as businesses, offering free public education in order to receive public funds which are used as efficiently as possible in order to keep any extra as profit. These schools often run into conflicts with teachers' unions due to the schools' more rigid business model. Charter schools typically have a board of directors, as well as oversight from the local school board.

A traditional public school is nearly identical to a non profit organization except that its income is from the government instead of its consumers (though technically the parents are paying for the school through tax dollars). It offers general education and is controlled primarily by the school board of the district.