Abstract: This report examines how states allow charter schools flexibility and promote accountability. The researchers surveyed 39 states with operating charter schools in 2002-03 and found that 28 of these reported that they collected information on whether or not schools were achieving the academic goals stated in their charters. Most states provided flexibility by releasing charter schools from some traditional public school requirements. About half of the states reported a mix of authorizers, including local education agencies, public and private universities and other nonprofit organizations. The researchers found that data was sometimes difficult to obtain, particularly at the school level, in part because the Department of Education seldom identifies individual schools or distinguishes charter schools from other public schools. In a follow-up memorandum, Education officials said actions would be taken on all recommendations offered by the report.
Resource Type: Federal Research & Reports Resource Format: PDF File Target Audience: Authorizers, Policy Makers, Researchers Resource Topic: Accountability, Achieving Standards, Gathering & Analyzing Data, Reporting Results
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