Arizona’s population is a rich tapestry of beautiful colors, intertwined with different textures, shapes, and patterns. This state is home to 7.17 million people of a mixture of different races: 53% are non-Hispanic whites, 13.7% are Hispanic, and 4.29% are African American. Other races include Navajo, Asian, and European.
As of 2022, the median household income was $72,580, with 12.8% of families living in poverty. In addition, 26% of Arizona’s households do not speak English at home. Languages spoken in non-English speaking homes are mostly Spanish, followed by Navajo, then Chinese.
In addition, much differentiation is found in scholars’ learning abilities. The top five most frequently diagnosed learning disabilities are dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dysphasia.
So, how do Arizona’s charter schools tailor their education to best meet schools’ diverse populations?
Let’s explore several avenues of this issue:
- Flexible Curriculum Design
- Support for English Language Learners (ELL)
- Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Special Education Scholars
- Addressing Socioeconomic Challenges
- Fostering Community and Parental Engagement
- Incorporating Technology for Personalized Learning
Flexible Curriculum Design
Arizona’s charter schools are better suited for attending to the needs of scholars with different learning abilities than traditional public schools. To start, most charter schools have a lower student-to-teacher ratio, allowing teachers more time with each of their scholars. In addition, teacher training and support are frequent in charter schools because they have adopted a different type of pedagogy than traditional schools.
On the other hand, in traditional public schools, teachers are left to their own devices when working with a differentiated population, usually without effective support from their administration. However, in Arizona’s charter schools, teachers have more freedom to address scholars’ needs. For example, charter scholars can work on different topics than their classmates, and at their own pace. They’re also flexible with staff, classroom space, and the use of technology. Charter schools have more freedom to design their own programs, hire their own staff, and assign class sizes and schedules.
The Leman Academy of Excellence, an exceptional grade-A academy with K-8 schools in Arizona and Colorado, adheres to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), engages English Language Learners with matching curricula for their developing English abilities, and provides Exceptional Scholar Services (ESS) for special scholars.
Support for English Language Learners (ELL)
With 26% of Arizona’s students speaking a language other than English at home, it’s imperative that scholars develop proficient English usage.
The Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS), a branch of the Arizona Department of Education, utilizes a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model to provide English studies for non-English-speaking scholars. Skills are focused on verbal and written English as well as comprehension — even via complex language content. Within this plan for effective instruction, scholars receive four hours of English immersion daily. They begin with their current level of English ability and are then provided scaffolded support, collaborative discussions, rigorous engagement, and regular assessment and monitoring.
Individualized language learner plans (ILLPs) are created for Arizona scholars in schools with 20 or fewer ELL students. They may be placed in classrooms with English-proficient scholars, but their ILLPs detail how they’ll meet their required 4 hours of daily language development. See what people are saying about The Leman Academy of Excellence’s ELL programs. (Note: this blog used fictitious names.)
“Anna, an ELL scholar with limited English speaking skills, gained confidence in expressing herself both verbally and in writing through the school’s language immersion program.”
“As a scholar who initially struggled with English comprehension, Joseph began to actively engage in class discussions and demonstrate a strong understanding of subject matter.”
Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Special Education Scholars
Gifted scholars are recognized by the Arizona Department of Education as those who are of superior intellect or advanced learning ability, yet are not given opportunities for academic growth in a regular classroom. Thus, these scholars need education services to help them reach their academic potential. Arizona has established a mandatory Gifted Scope and Sequence Law, which outlines methods for identifying gifted scholars and providing them with needed services. (ARS §15-779)
In addition, Arizona offers plenty of resources for gifted scholars and their families. The Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) is a frequently-used resource for parents and communities working together to meet gifted scholars’ needs. The ASU Tempe Math Circle, free to high school scholars, offers them the opportunity to immerse themselves in challenging mathematical problems. Other resources for teachers, parents, and scholars can be found in the Arizona Department of Education’s Gifted Education section.
Likewise, charter schools are a good fit for scholars who struggle with learning. With Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) or 504 plans, they will find appropriate curricula as well as more individualized attention and lower student-to-teacher ratios.
Leman Academy of Excellence is committed to inclusive education for scholars of all learning abilities. With its enrichment opportunities during school as well as after school, scholars engage in mastering Spanish, Latin, music, the fine arts, and athletics. They study logic, rhetoric, and classical literature. If your child attends Leman Academy, they will receive a well-rounded education tailored to their learning style.
Addressing Socioeconomic Challenges
As a parent, if you want something different than what’s offered in traditional schools, remember that charter schools are also public schools; they receive the same basic funding as traditional schools. They are tuition-free and serve all the states’ families, regardless of household income.
Additionally, charter schools have partnerships with local organizations to provide meals, school supplies, and counseling services. For example, the College of Health Solutions’ Food Policy and Environmental Research Group devoted $3.8 million to free meals in traditional and charter schools. Also, children involved with after-school activities can receive free after-school meals from St. Mary’s Food Bank.
In Scottsdale, community partners furnished scholars with free back-to-school supplies, clothing, and other essentials. In another community effort, BASIS Flagstaff donated school supplies to the Navajo Nation.
Another beneficial program called Cartwheel now provides mental health services to all schools in rural counties at no cost.
To summarize, despite wide socioeconomic differences between households in Arizona, its communities have demonstrated numerous ways of pulling together so their children have an excellent start in school.
Fostering Community and Parental Engagement
Charter school parents frequently develop strong relationships with their children’s teachers. Having chosen a particular charter school, parents are invested in the success of their children. When parents are involved with their children’s learning, scholars receive better grades and are more socially, emotionally, and academically adjusted in school.
At Leman Academy of Excellence, parents are considered to be “partners” in their children’s education. They’re encouraged to become involved in their children’s schools; they assist the homeroom teachers, help out with reading groups, and chaperone field trips. Leman Academy views school to be an extension of scholars’ homes with learning occurring in both home and school.
Incorporating Technology for Personalized Learning
Technology has become a staple in our school and work lives, and it has enormous learning benefits. Utilizing computerized learning programs, teachers can tailor lessons to fit scholars’ learning levels. Virtual learning is also available for scholars who are not able to physically attend school.
Leman Virtual Academy of Arizona allows any scholar in Arizona to attend school from their home computer. Children who move frequently, have disabilities, or are homeschooled may choose to receive their education virtually, again with no tuition charged. Even though lessons are received online, scholars form relationships with their teachers and classmates and are held to the same standards of achievement as in-person scholars.
“I love the fact that it is a classical curriculum, they have live online classes for each subject at least once a week, and that there is a big focus on character education, history, and literature.”
— Parent of a Leman Virtual Academy scholar
Conclusion
With such a diverse population attending today’s schools in Arizona, their educational institutions must provide the best standards they can for each scholar. Differences in family income, customs, language, and abilities all directly influence their children’s learning and require careful planning to ensure an exceptional educational environment possible for each child.
Charter schools make a better match for a diversified scholar population than traditional district schools. With smaller classes, flexibility in structuring curricula, and strong teacher-parent ties, charter scholars are better positioned to excel.
To find a charter school that is committed to inclusivity, explore The Leman Academy of Excellence and Leman’s Virtual Academy.