Proposes that the development of the next generation of teachers begin in special charter schools (grades 9-12) devoted to careers in teaching. Argues that the charter school is an ideal place to institute unique educational reform and prepare better-qualified teachers with a sense of social responsibility. Outlines objectives, basic design…

Examines intended and unintended results of the charter school movement, addressing both sides of the debate and explaining that increased autonomy can heighten inequalities, and choice can sometimes exclude certain members of society. Discusses: autonomy for accountability; autonomy for efficiency; competition; innovation; and choice. Notes that…

Across the United States, nearly 50 million students are served by 96,000 public schools. Federal policymakers cannot be expected to diagnose the diverse learning needs of these students and to craft solutions adequate to meet all of them. Four decades, eight reauthorizations of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and expenditure of…

The new vision for the 21st century is reflected in ACTE's recent position paper on strengthening the American high school through career and technical education. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to continue raising students' academic achievements and their high school completion rates. However, the way the American high school is…

This paper uses the charter-school legislation of three states-Arizona, California, and Michigan--as a lens to understand the policy values embodied in school--choice reforms. It questions the prevailing rubrics of the Center for Education Reform and the American Federation of Teachers. Briefly stated, the former ranks laws as either…

This book examines why most charter schools will fail. It opens with a historical overview, describing the fate and significance of the precursor to charter schools: President Nixon's Experimental Schools Program. It then turns to the author's personal experiences in educational theory and practice, presenting and discussing the essential features…

Today, Americans rank education as one of their top concerns. This article describes the implications of two main directions for educational improvement: (1) reinvesting in public schools to provide all children with equal access to quality education; or (2) divesting from public schools through vouchers for private and parochial institutions.…

The charter-school movement is a transition to a total system change that began sometime after World War II and the Korean War. When 1960s educators started the alternative schools movement, they were really creating charter schools. Resistance to charter schools is based not on philosophy, but on scarce financial resources. However, educators…

Reports on the establishment of a charter school in Michigan that serves home-schooling families and stresses a creationist curriculum. Describes the legal action taken against public funding of the charter school. (DDR)

Four articles from this special report examine the charter school movement and whether it has the staying power to change American schooling. The articles are: (1) "Declarations of Independence" (Mark Walsh), which discusses the Boston Renaissance and Marblehead charter schools in Massachusetts, among others; (2) "Laws of the…

This paper tries to set out a framework for thinking about whether the innovation known as "charter schools" is working. It is designed to help those who are designing evaluations and those who are thinking about accountability. The charter schools movement is a new state strategy for educational system change. Those who ask whether the…

Consideration of choice-based reform in educational governance rests heavily on the assumption that markets will improve school performance. Nonetheless, little empirical research has examined how educational organizations respond to competition. This paper hypothesizes that administrators are likely to respond by adopting governance…

Traces evolution of the charter school movement from the author's initial proposals in the early 1970s to today's unprecedented opportunity for educators and citizens to revitalize their schools and vastly improve educational quality. Chartering all schools would truly decentralize schools and strengthen school-based management. (MLH)

Describes three newly formed charter schools, noting how widely they differ in setting, purpose, and character. Notes six lessons that might be applicable to charter schools in other communities. (SR)

Asserts that opponent's predictions that school choice would result in mass exodus of students and a disparate impact on public schools have failed to materialize. Argues that disadvantaged students, especially blacks, in inner-city schools are the principal beneficiaries of voucher programs. (Contains 13 references.) (PKP)