Report: Charters Fare Better Than Public Schools in Many Categories

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Charter schools perform better than traditional public schools at the middle and high school level, according to a study by EdSource, an independent organization that researches educational issues in California.

However, traditional public elementary schools were more successful than charter schools, according to the report, which looked at the 2007 academic performance index and other school evaluation tools. A school’s ranking on the index is based on standardized test scores and the state’s high school exit exam.

“We’re seeing a trend,” says Brian Edwards, a senior policy analyst at EdSource. “Charter middle and high schools continue to do well as a group and we believe their continued success isn’t a coincidence. These schools are doing something right, and California would be well served to find out exactly what it is.”

The report described several reasons for the differences between charter schools and traditional public schools:

• Charter middle schools scored 45 points higher on the API than traditional public middle schools. Charter schools also had a significantly better score with other academic evaluations, according to the report.
  
• Charter elementary schools had lower API scores than traditional public elementary schools primarily because of lower math schools. After adjusting for school size and student background, charter elementary schools scored an average of nine points lower on the API.
  When charter schools that don’t rely on the traditional classroom environment, home-schooling networks and independent study, were excluded from the analysis, the report found no differences between charter schools and traditional public schools.
  
• Charter high schools demonstrated a higher overall performance than traditional high schools, with the exclusion of math scores. Charter high schools scored an average of 14 points higher on the API than other high schools. When nonclassroom-based charter schools were eliminated from the analysis, charter scored higher on all measures.

The report found that schools run by charter management organizations — nonprofit organizations that manage a system of charter schools within a specific geographic area — are more successful than non-CMOs.

“CMO-run schools continue to do well and achieve strong results with students facing substantial challenges,” says Eric Crane, senior research associate at WestEd, and co-author of the report. “Unlike other charters, CMO-run schools fare better than traditional public schools at every level.”

The study found that most charter schools met state-mandated performance requirements for charter renewal. A state bill passed in 2005 requires that charter schools meet API targets and that the charter at least match the performance of the public school the charter student would otherwise attend.

“With the increased presence of charter school options for California students, it’s important charters are held accountable for meeting state standards,” says Trish Williams, EdSource executive director.

Williams says charter schools should be closely examined to determine what they are doing well with specific conditions and student demographics.

“Remember that charter schools are exempt from most school regulations under the theory that increased school flexibility will generate better academic outcomes for students,” she says. “Charters that are meeting this promise to improve student achievement should be viewed as exemplars, but those that aren’t doing well need to be held accountable for their performance, including revocation of their charter when appropriate.”