Abstract: This guide explores the role of the state in converting chronically low-performing schools into charter schools, a strategy available to states under No Child Left Behind to address schools that miss AYP for five consecutive years. The challenges and benefits of closing a school and reopening as a charter school are explored. The author states that reopening as a charter school allows for the opportunity to enlist the interest and energy of the community in changing and improving a chronically underachieving school. Additional potential benefits of reopening a low-performing school as a charter school include new leadership, new decision-making approaches, new staff, new mission, new educational approaches, and a new culture. The state can play several roles in facilitating conversion, including: establishing criteria and process guidelines; creating an RFP process; and providing additional resources to school operators.
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