Some 2,700 Schools Serve Nearly 685,000 Students Nationally
Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform (CER), the nation's leading charter school resource, today announced the release of the eighth edition of the National Charter School Directory - the only guide of its kind. The Directory offers current information on the expansion and development of charter schools since the passage of the first charter school law more than a decade ago.
The Directory profiles the 2,695 charter schools that are operating for the 2002-2003 school year, serving 684,495 students in 36 states and Washington, D.C. Another 84 schools that already are approved to open for the 2003-2004 school year are also profiled.
This year's Directory notes a number of firsts: schools opening this year in Indiana and Wyoming make their debut, and in another first, a Louisiana charter opened on an active military base to serve military families and the neighboring community.
A new feature in this edition includes a separate section for specially-focused schools that address the needs of parents seeking a particular focus or curriculum including schools that are: Arts-based, Core Knowledge and Montessori.
"This year finds more than 1.8 million people involved in charter schools - showing strong grassroots support - proof positive that charter schools have become a vibrant part of communities nationwide," noted Allen. "Charter schools continue to offer parents attractive options to the traditional district schools: charters are usually smaller and proportionally serve higher numbers of students typically under-served by the district system."
The comprehensive Directory contains important school data including: school contact, phone number, enrollment figures, grades served and a description of each school's program. Website addresses are listed where available.
Copies of the National Charter School Directory 2003 can be obtained exclusively by contacting CER. To order a copy by phone call 202-822-9000. NOTE: The Directory is not available on-line or in an electronic format. Also available from CER:
Charter School Laws Across the States: Ranking Score Card and Legislative Profiles: A study and evaluation of the Nation's 40 charter school laws. $39.95 + S & H. Charter Schools 2002: Results from CER's Annual Survey of America's Charter Schools CHARTER CLOSURES: The Opportunity for Accountability.# # #
The Center for Education Reform (CER) is a national voice for more choices in education and more rigor in education programs, both of which are key to more effective schooling. It delivers practical, research-based information and assistance to engage a diverse lay audience ˜ including parents, policymakers, and education reform groups ˜ in taking actions to ensure that US schools are delivering a high quality education for all children in grades K-12. For more information contact CER at 202-822-9000 or send us an email. 
