In a previous article on my general-interest blog, I examined various different types of primary schooling (public, charter, and magnet schools, homeschooling) available in the United States. For this article, I wanted to narrow the focus, both in options and location. There are quite a few charter schools located in here in Greensboro, so I decided to take a closer look at charter schools vs. homeschooling, for parents who are exploring alternative options to their local public schools.
In North Carolina, charter schools and homeschooling represent two distinct alternatives to traditional public schools, but they operate under entirely different legal frameworks. Because charter schools are publicly funded, they are subject to a higher degree of state regulation, whereas homeschooling, which is classified as a type of non-public school, grants parents significant autonomy.
Here is a comparison of how North Carolina regulates standardized testing, state oversight, and teacher certification for these two educational paths.
Standardized Testing
Charter Schools: Because they are public schools, charter schools in North Carolina are legally required to participate in the state’s accountability testing program. This means charter school students must take the same state-mandated End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests as traditional public school students. The results of these tests are public record and factor into the school's overall performance grade issued by the state.
Homeschooling: North Carolina law also requires homeschooled students to undergo testing, but the parameters are very different. Homeschools are required to administer a nationally standardized achievement test (such as the Stanford Achievement Test, Iowa Assessments, or California Achievement Test) to each student annually. However, they do not take the state EOGs. Furthermore, there is no minimum score required by the state to continue homeschooling. Parents must simply keep the test results on file for one year and present them only if requested by state officials.
State Oversight
Charter Schools: Charter schools face stringent state oversight. They are overseen by the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools and must be authorized by the State Board of Education. A charter school operates under a contract (the charter) that is subject to periodic review and renewal. To maintain their charter, these schools must meet specific academic, operational, and financial standards. They must undergo annual financial audits, comply with state open-meetings laws, and can be shut down by the state if they fail to meet their contractual benchmarks.
Homeschooling: Homeschooling in North Carolina is overseen by the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), and state oversight is relatively minimal, reflecting a "high-trust" approach to parents. To legally establish a homeschool, a parent must file a "Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School" with the DNPE. From there, the legal requirements are mostly administrative: parents must maintain immunization records, keep attendance records showing the school operates on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months of the year, and keep the annual standardized test scores on file. While the DNPE has the authority to request to see these records, routine inspections or curriculum checks do not occur.
Teacher Certification
Charter Schools: While charter schools are granted more flexibility in hiring than traditional public schools, North Carolina law still dictates a baseline for teacher credentials. By state law, at least 50% of the teachers employed by a charter school must hold a valid North Carolina state teaching license. The remaining teachers do not legally require a state license, allowing the school to hire subject-matter experts (like a retired engineer teaching math), though they are still vetted by the school's administration.
Homeschooling: North Carolina imposes no state teaching certification requirements on homeschooling parents. The state does not dictate what curriculum must be used or require the parent to have any formal background in education. The only legal educational requirement for the chief administrator (the parent or guardian providing the instruction) is that they must hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent (a GED).
Summary
In North Carolina, the choice between a charter school and homeschooling is effectively a choice between public accountability and private autonomy. Charter schools offer alternative educational models but remain tethered to state testing, certification quotas, and strict board oversight. Conversely, homeschooling places the entire educational burden on the parent, offering almost total freedom regarding curriculum and teaching methods, provided the parent meets basic administrative and annual testing requirements.
For more information:
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/alternative-choices/charter-schools
https://www.doa.nc.gov/divisions/non-public-education/home-schools
Image credit: Artem Podrez, https://www.pexels.com/photo/teacher-teaching-her-pupils-6990244/
