Abstract: With more than 80,000 students enrolled in over 300 charter campuses, Texas charter schools trail only those of California in enrollment. This document traces the evolution of charters in Texas, details student and school performance and offers a series of recommendations. Findings include the state’s charters serve a larger percentage of disadvantaged students; they are racially/ethnically more diverse than other public schools, but enroll fewer students with disabilities and with limited English proficiency; the performance gap between the state’s charter school students and traditional school students is closing; and charters face immense funding challenges. Recommendations include making accountability more meaningful, eliminating the cap on open-enrollment charters, encouraging multi-campus charters, encouraging universities to operate charters, expanding virtual charters cautiously, and leveling the playing field.
Resource Type: Case Studies/Evaluations Resource Format: Print Document, PDF File Target Audience: Authorizers, Founders, Policy Makers, Researchers Resource Topic: Budget & Finance, Legislation & Policy, Accountability, Achieving Standards, Assessment, Impact of Charter Schools
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