Executive Summary
Great public schools offer the public a wide variety of programs, approaches and learning opportunities.
Great public schools are not easy to make, but they are increasingly available to children in all states, thanks to the introduction of the charter school idea.
The data reviewed in this year’s Annual Survey of America’s Charter Schools, by the Center for Education Reform (CER), tells that story clearly.
This survey was sent out to approximately 4,100 schools, with a 20 percent response rate, and presents an intense view into the context for and environment surrounding the operation of the nation's charter schools. This data provides an overall look at the key factors that influence charter school operations.
This report gives the most comprehensive look to date at the charter school environment.
The survey provides detailed analysis of the operations, demographics, and size and scope of charters.
For example:
- Charter schools serve a majority of at-risk, minority and poor students.
- Charter schools enjoy freedom and autonomy to manage their own operations. Eighty-five percent of respondents do not participate in a union or collective bargaining unit, and charters are moving towards performance incentives and merit-based pay.
- Despite receiving fewer resources, charter schools offer longer school days, longer school years, and innovative curricula not available in conventional public schools.
- State caps and moratoriums on new schools are slowing growth. Fifty-nine percent of survey respondents said they have significant waiting lists, averaging 198 students in length.
- States with multiple authorizers create the highest quality and quantity of charter schools.
- Even though they are public schools and should receive the same amount of federal, state and local funds, charter schools receive nearly 40 percent less funding than other public schools.
This CER survey provides the most comprehensive and current data available on public charter school operations.
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The Center for Education Reform drives the creation of better educational opportunities for all children by leading parents, policymakers and the media in boldly advocating for school choice, advancing the charter school movement, and challenging the education establishment. The Center for Education Reform changes laws, minds and cultures to allow good schools to flourish.
