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MyTabstart > Favorites Directory > Education > Charter Schools - Resources for Parents
Charter schools are a recent phenomenon, having gained in parental and political appeal in the mid 1990s. Some of the data in this collection dates to that time period, but the basic questions for parents considering a charter school remain the same today: what is a charter school; what are the pros and cons; and how successful are these schools? Additional boxes include resources, books, and a clickable map for finding local charter schools.
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Education Week - EdWeek.org article with clear, simple definition of a charter school, as well as a brief history of the school choice movement, and its relatively quick rise in appeal.
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The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools - This nonprofit organization's post titled "About Charter Schools," is a tad self-promoting, but does offer a good definition of charter schools. The article uses the term "public charter schools," though technically, all charter schools are public schools.
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ERIC Digests - "Perspectives on Charter Schools: A Review for Parents" condenses nicely the definition, public opinion, and research* for charter schools (*as of 2001).
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The Charter School Experiment: Expectations, Evidence, and Implications - by Christopher A. Lubienski and Peter C. Weitzel (Sept. 30, 2010)
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Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents - by Karin Piper (Nov. 1, 2009)
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Charter Schools: Hope or Hype? - by Jack Buckley and Mark Schneider (July 13, 2009)
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Charter Schools: A Reference Handbook - by Danny K. Weil (Jan. 1, 2009)
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Charter Schools in Action: Renewing Public Education - by Chester E. Finn, Bruno V. Manno and Gregg Vanourek (Oct. 1, 2001)
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Charter Schools: Pros and Cons - An abstract to a graduate paper, this resource offers questions that are important to ask yourself as you consider whether or not to enroll your student in a charter school.
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The Implications of School Choice - This research paper delves deeply (but not too academically) into the initial debate over school choice and where charter schools fit into the discussion.
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Using Information Effectively in Education - This paper neatly frames arguments around school choice, including the reasons why parents decide to send their children to charter schools.
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Determining the Evolving Impact of Charter Schools - Comprehensive and highly readable research paper that deconstructs the charter school debate, cites advantages and pitfalls of these schools, and provides limited but useful case study references. Paper also includes links to many useful and substantive additional resources.
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Brookings Institute - Solid if slightly dry analysis of charter school effectiveness in light of federal call under the Obama administration for more charter schools.
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New York Times - "Scholar’s School Reform U-Turn Shakes Up Debate" chronicles a prominent charter-school proponent's recent about-face on the topic.
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Civil Rights Project - Recent report offers frank assessment of charter schools and their impact on race and class.
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Harvard and MIT study - Article discusses a new study that examines the recent and ongoing successes of charter schools in Boston area and its larger implications for the rest of the country. Includes a link to download full study.
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Rand Corporation - Summary of report on charter school performance in California.
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Charter Schools Outsource Education to Management Firms, With Mixed Results - Article looks at shortcomings of charter schools that rely on management companies (for profit or nonprofit).
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The Center for Education Reform - This site provides an easy-to-use interactive map to help you find primary and secondary charter schools within your state.
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60 Minutes: An Experimental NYC Charter School - Katie Couric investigates an experimental charter school that opened in New York City. The school is making news in part because of the six-figure salaries it pays its teachers. (Note: Video is third segment and begins at the 28.50-minute mark.)
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Pros & Cons Of Charter Schools - A CBS news report on charter versus public high schools in Chicago.
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What is a Charter School? - Somewhat one-sided if short documentary that nevertheless does an adequate job of answering the question, what is a charter school?