Charter School Task Force Resources
The Post Dispatch had a story on 2/23 about a unionization effort in a charter school in Chicago. The key issue reported here was that the charter school cannot legally block unionization efforts.
A study by the Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE). From the CRPE website: “This report offers great reason for optimism that charter schools are well positioned to answer President Obama’s call for public schools to innovate. But it also cautions that traditional regulatory structures and weaknesses in capacity must be addressed if they are to fully meet the challenge of innovation.” http://www.crpe.org/cs/crpe/view/csr_pubs/381
A report just release by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) on the state of charter school authorizing as of 2010. The paper gives additional context with regard to the national landscape of charter school authorizers. http://www.qualitycharters.org/images/stories/publications/2010_facts_report.pdf
“Legislative Tracking” Task Force member Dan Schesch is tracking Missouri State Legislation on schools, onto which charter school amendments might be offered: http://jdr2.net/govimprv/MObillsed.htm
“Educated Citizenry,” Report by the Missouri Senate panel on education in Missouri. Includes recommendations for charter schools. http://www.senate.mo.gov/2020Committees/Reports/EducatedCitizenry2020FinalReport_Dec2010.pdf
Ravitch takes on the movie “Waiting for Superman.” She argues that charter schools have a mixed track record of achieving superior student results, and that the negative attention paid to the American Federation of Teachers belies the central role played by long-time AFT president Al Shanker in developing charter schools.
An article in the Post Dispatch on January 21, 2011 in which Dr. Adams indicates a new approach for SLPS toward charter schools: “St. Louis Public Schools to offer plan for charters”
Good source adding to discussion of how to evaluate the quality of teachers and, more broadly, difficulties in evaluating individual schools.
“Historical charter school MAP scores” downloaded from DESE website and compiled by Dan Schesch (Task Force member):
“Who's in Charge at Charter Schools?”
NY Times Op-ed critique of documentary “Waiting for Superman.”
“Making Schools Work,” PBS.
Provides an overview of KIPP schools and some methods used including: time on task, chanting, teacher availability, and discipline.
This report compares charter school math growth with traditional public schools and finds: 46% of charter schools have indistinguishable math gains from traditional public schools, 17% exceed their traditional public schools equivalent, and 37% of charter schools produced lower math gains than their equivalent traditional public schools. It also shows that children in poverty and English Language Learners fare better in charter schools than traditional public schools.
The IFF report looks at all public school options in St. Louis and focuses on the accessibility of high quality public schools to children. The report considers neighborhood schools, charter schools, magnet schools and the VICC program. The report finds that only four public schools met Missouri’s AYP targets (three were magnets) and that there is a lack of equitable access to high quality public education in St. Louis.
Report identifies challenges facing charter schools across the country. It also outlines basic facts of where charter schools are and who they serve.
DESE adopted this plan to provide sponsors a template on how to monitor their charter schools.
Explains the calculation and methodology of determining a school’s AYP.
Provides background on charter schools in Illinois and focuses on the role played by Chicago Public Schools in the success of charter schools.
This report proves that charter schools do not negatively affect a school district’s financial management. Only school districts outside of Chicago are studied. It also notes that all of the host school districts had an initial deficit the first year the charter school opened, but achieved operating fund surpluses thereafter.
“Does School Choice Work?,” Frederick Hess, 2010. http://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/does-school-choice-work
Examines the methods used to provide public education options, including voucher systems and charter schools. The report outlines arguments made on the competitive role school choice plays in improving traditional public schools. Suggests EMOs are more capable at growing and expanding their successful programs than CMOs.