Of the many arguments for charter schools, one is crucial: that charters should be deliberately, thoughtfully, boldly different from existing mainline public middle and high schools. The evidence of the ineffectiveness of the traditional design of K-12 education, especially that of middle and high schools, serving both rich and poor, is…

The usefulness of involvement and talent development theory in the assessment of charter schools and their students' success was studied as part of an effort to develop an assessment that would match the views of primary stakeholders (parents and teachers) more authentically. The research considered how parents and teachers define success in…

Discusses the growth and challenges of charter schools. Asserts that small stand-alone charter schools may not be the basis for a sustainable, large-scale movement for change in education. Education management organizations and other similar service providers may be needed to help charter schools become a serious force for change. (WFA)

Research suggests there is little correlation between spending more on public education and getting better results. The success of Catholic and charter schools, which receive far less money, underscores that more money is not the key to better educational outcomes. Giving parents power to send their children to schools that deliver what works is…

Creating an innovative setting is demanding and stressful, as charter-school leaders are discovering, for several reasons: they have never done it before; they are untrained, self-selected leaders; and they lack conceptual road maps charting predictable problems ahead. Leadership and evaluation deficiencies will thwart charters' objectives. (MLH)

Early 20th century Progressive reformers established elected school boards as a means of shielding public school systems from the politics and patronage of corrupt city governments. Citizens, rather than political dons or their favored appointees, would govern the community's schools with the community's interests at heart. Today, however, elected…

This article is a response to Fierros and Blomberg's article on "Restrictions and Race in Special Education Placements in For-Profit and Non-Profit Charter Schools in California." It compliments these scholars for confirming through their findings that ethnically diverse students with special education needs endure segregationist…

There are almost 3,000 charter schools operating in the United States. In Arizona about 500 charters enroll about 74,000 students. The question of whether charter schools "work" is, therefore, of considerable interest to policymakers and the public nationally and in Arizona. To charter school proponents, the fact that charters exist is…

Examines the charter school concept as a means for educational improvement. Concerns over quality and equity are briefly discussed, and reasons why educators and researchers need to be included in the debate are highlighted. Suggests that charter schools can pilot new teaching strategies and curriculum offerings, and introduce productive…

Discusses the significant contributions to American education of the late Albert Shanker, the president of the American Federation of Teachers from 1974-1997. (PKP)

Critiques a November 1999 "Kappan" article praising one charter school's special-education program, arguing that most Massachusetts for-profit charter schools receive funding for disabled students whom they refuse to serve. These schools have excluded, counseled out, mistreated, and withheld needed services from numerous students with…

Perhaps one of the most long-standing concerns in special education is the over-representation of some groups of children in special education. In this issue, Fierros and Blomberg report that racial/ethnic representation of special education students in charter schools mirrors that in general education populations. These findings are not new and…

Six "silver bullets" that could raise student achievement are (1) set national standards;(2) make sure all students can read; (3) improve the quality of teaching; (4) demand from vendors better textbooks and teaching materials; (5) encourage charter schools; and (6) collaborate, coordinate, and redefine resources. (MLF)

The story of a charter school closure is told from the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, and community members, who felt that the sponsoring district revoked the charter for political reasons despite broad local support. The experience underscores the necessity of publicly subjecting the relationship of the public school system and the…

Describes several reasons, based largely on dissatisfaction with New York City bureaucracy, why principal of International High School in Queens decided to accept invitation to become a charter school: Student selection challenges; need for school-based staffing; scheduling, financial, and purchasing rigidities; and state assessment requirements.…