April Howard, the School Improvement Specialist for the Hall County System, said Flowery Branch High, Mt. Vernon Elementary and Chestnut Mountain Elementary schools are the latest to attain charter status.
She said charters allow schools to be more innovative.
"They still teach the [Georgia standards]curriculum," she said. "They just look for opportunities to engage students in innovative learning."
And, she said the schools do have more flexibility with the way the curriculum is presented.
"It allows them to waive a few things, such as seat requirements...a variety of different state requirements."
Howard said Flowery Branch becomes the first charter high school in the county.
"They are really focusing on global and international leadership," said Howard.
Howard said all three schools have local governing boards that were instrumental in helping the schools achieve charter status. She noted that those governing boards have created structured goals for each school, while helping to design creative learning environments.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/4/247320