COLUMBUS, Ohio -- To some, charter schools with low student populations are called drop-out academies.
While the people who operate the schools said they give struggling students a second chance, opponents said the schools are wasting money and don't improve graduation rates, NBC 4's Tanya Hutchins reported.
Gov. Ted Strickland said he supports charter schools as long as they are held accountable, which means tracking student performance and using state money wisely.
About 260 students attend Life Skills in north Columbus. Each year, around 40 students graduate after choosing to leave traditional high schools.
"So then I came to Life Skills and with Life Skills, you have four hour classes, the teachers are one-on-one. So if you have a question, you don't have to be nervous about asking it. They come directly to help you with your problems. So I love it," said Chantel Saunders, a Life Skills Center alumnus.
The shorter classes allow students to hold down jobs and some take parenting classes as well.
Administrators said that most students enter classes with an average sixth-grade level in reading and math, but leave passing Ohio's required 10th-grade graduation test, despite challenging circumstances at home.
"The drop-out recovery program, the Life Skills Centers are a complement to that traditional education in that we're trying to address those problems that traditional schools weren't able to," said Joe Buckalew, Life Skills Centers administrator.
The funding comes from the state, not local property taxes and the money is used for staff, computer-based programming and supplies.
Administrators said that even though the graduation rate is only around 30 percent, it's still worth it.
Only 47 out of 100 dropouts are employed -- compared to 70 out of 100 high school graduates.
Life Skills has been in Columbus for six years. Buckalew said his graduates are improving their lives and those of their families.
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