Describes study of three charter schools in California that have successfully improved student performance on standards-based tests: two startup schools in Los Angeles (the Accelerated School and the Watts Learning Center) and a conversion school in Pacoima (Vaughn Elementary School). Highlights some political, financial, and operational…

Beyond the need for many school districts to pull out of the death spiral of declining enrollment, educational leaders throughout California must foster a culture of change and accelerate creative self-renewal to provide students with an education for the world ahead. Businesses demand and expect much more from public education as the global…