A new study examining the organizational practices and educational effectiveness of charter management organizations (CMOs) reveals a wide range of positive and negative effects on student achievement in charter schools. While the most successful CMOs in the sample ...More
A new analysis of the results from 40 studies examining charter school achievement indicates charter schools are performing better than traditional public schools in lower grades but only about the same in upper grades. The study was released by the University of ...More
The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) has identified 12 essential practices it believes all authorizers should implement to maintain high standards, preserve school autonomy, and protect student and public interests. The best practices are detailed ...More
One of the essential features of independent charter schools is their more effective form of governance. Rather than a traditional school district board of aspiring politicians often elected by a tiny minority of voters, charter school boards are comprised of diverse, ...More
Michigan moved a step closer to removing its cap on charter schools yesterday when the state Senate narrowly approved a bill that would remove numerous restrictions on charter school expansion. The senate voted 20-18 in favor of Senate Bill 618 which now moves to the ...More
Expansion and replication of successful charter schools is paramount to the progression of the charter movement, but sustainable growth is reliant on the sector’s ability to produce effective leaders from within. With more than 5,000 charter schools, the sector needs ...More
It doesn’t take a math wiz to understand there are 24 hours in a day, but for much of the last decade, KIPP founders Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin were on a quest to find the 25th hour. Since starting the Knowledge is Power Program 17 years ago, both Levin and Feinberg ...More
Two-year growth in the number of charter schools in Flagstaff, Ariz., appears to have contributed to a 9 percent reduction in enrollment in the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD). The district has lost nearly 1,000 students during that time, including 500 this fall. ...More
View CSI's special slide show on 15 Keys to Long-term Financial Sustainability. The national charter school movement is experiencing both the best of times and worst of times in terms of growth and long-term financial sustainability. While many states are revising their ...More
The December 2011 issue of CSI examines the impact of blended learning, including 10 reasons why it is a smart strategy for charter schools and insight from Carpe Diem Schools and Rocketship Education. Additional stories focus on crisis management and securing philanthropic funding.
