Charter school operations and performance : evidence from California / / Ron Zimmer ... [et al.] ; prepared for the California Legislative Analyst's Office.

• Author: Rand Education (Institute)
• TeilnehmendeR: Zimmer, Ron W.; Rand Education (Institute)
• Year of Publication: 2003
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (313 p.)
• Notes: At bottom of t.p.: Rand Education.; "MR-1700-EDU"--P. [4] of cover.

The report analyzes an array of issues pertaining to accessibility, student achievement, governance, and operation of charter schools in California. Four specific research questions were investigated: (1) What population of students attends charter schools? (2) Is student achievement higher in charter schools than in conventional public schools? (3) What oversight and support do the chartering authorities provide? (4) How do charter schools differ from their conventional public school counterparts in terms of their operation, including finances, academic achievement, and staffing?

Table of Contents

Cover; PREFACE; CONTENTS; FIGURES; TABLES; SUMMARY; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; ACRONYMS; Chapter One; INTRODUCTION; BACKGROUND: CHARTER SCHOOLS NATIONALLY AND IN CALIFORNIA; WHAT WE KNOW FROM PRIOR RESEARCH; FOCUS OF THIS RESEARCH; DATA SOURCES; Primary Data; Secondary Data; HOW WE CATEGORIZED CHARTER SCHOOLS; Conversion and Start-Up Charter Schools; Classroom-Based and Nonclassroom-Based Charter Schools; School Size; Independent and Dependent Charter Schools; LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY; Data Limitations; Budgetary and Time Constraints; HOW THE REPORT IS ORGANIZED; Chapter Two

STUDENTS SERVED BY CHARTER SCHOOLSINTRODUCTION; ACCESS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS; Student Admissions Processes; Focus of School Services; CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS IN CHARTER SCHOOLS; SCHOOL-BY-SCHOOL ANALYSIS; SUMMARY; Chapter Three; ACADEMIC OUTCOMES; INTRODUCTION; SCHOOL-LEVEL PERFORMANCE; STATEWIDE NONLONGITUDINALLY LINKED STUDENTLEVEL DATA; LONGITUDINALLY LINKED STUDENT-LEVEL DATA; COMPETITIVE EFFECT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS; SUMMARY; School-Level Analysis of API Scores; Statewide Nonlongitudinal Student Data; Longitudinally Linked Student Data; Competitive Effects of Charter Schools; Chapter Four

AUTHORIZATION, GOVERNANCE, AND OVERSIGHT OF CHARTER SCHOOLSINTRODUCTION; AUTHORIZATION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS; Description of Chartering Authorities; Development and Evaluation of Charter Petitions; The Outcomes of Charter Petitions; Closed or Revoked Charter Schools; Denied Charter Petitions; GOVERNANCE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS; Dependent and Independent Charter Schools; Legal Liability in Charter Schools; Charter School Autonomy; OVERSIGHT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS; Characteristics of Chartering Authority Oversight of Charter Schools; Chartering Authority Actions Toward Charter Schools

SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHARTERING AUTHORITIESSUMMARY; Authorization; Governance; Oversight; Services; Chapter Five; CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCES AND FACILITIES; INTRODUCTION; CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING; Meeting Legislative Requirements; Participation in Categorical Aid Programs; PRIVATE DONATIONS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS; CHARTER SCHOOL EXPENDITURES; FACILITIES; OTHER FISCAL CHALLENGES; SUMMARY; Chapter Six; ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENTS OF CHARTER AND CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS; INTRODUCTION; PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; Chartering Authorities' Involvement in Professional Development

Teacher Participation in Professional DevelopmentCURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION; Programs and Scheduling Modifications; Courses and Academic Program Requirements; Computers; STUDENT TESTING; PARENT INVOLVEMENT; STUDENT DISCIPLINE; SUMMARY; Chapter Seven; STAFFING IN CHARTER AND CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS; INTRODUCTION; THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TEACHERS; Teaching Credentials; Teaching Experience; THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PRINCIPALS; Credentials and Qualifications of Principals; Administrative and Teaching Experience; WORKING CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION OF TEACHERS

WORKING CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION OF PRINCIPALS