Charter School Operations and Performance Evidence from California

by Zimmer, Ron

• ISBN13: 9780833033543
• ISBN10: 0833033549
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

The study represents a comprehensive study of accessibility, students achievement, governance, and operation of California's charter schools, drawing from survey data and case studies.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. iii
Figures	p. xi
Tables	p. xv
Summary	p. xix
Acknowledgments	p. xxix
Acronyms	p. xxxi
Introduction	p. 1
Background: Charter Schools Nationally and in California	p. 1
What We Know from Prior Research	p. 5
Focus of This Research	p. 6
Data Sources	p. 8
Primary Data	p. 8
Secondary Data	p. 10
How We Categorized Charter Schools	p. 11
Conversion and Start-Up Charter Schools	p. 12
Classroom-Based and Nonclassroom-Based Charter Schools	p. 13
School Size	p. 14
Independent and Dependent Charter Schools	p. 15
Limitations of the Study	p. 16
Data Limitations	p. 16
Budgetary and Time Constraints	p. 17
How the Report Is Organized	p. 17
Students Served by Charter Schools	p. 19
Introduction	p. 19
Access to Charter Schools	p. 21
Student Admissions Processes	p. 22
Focus of School Services	p. 24
Characteristics of Students in Charter Schools	p. 25
School-by-School Analysis	p. 30
Summary	p. 36
Academic Outcomes	p. 37
Introduction	p. 37
School-Level Performance	p. 39
Statewide Nonlongitudinally Linked Student-Level Data	p. 44
Longitudinally Linked Student-Level Data	p. 53
Competitive Effect of Charter Schools	p. 57
Summary	p. 60
School-Level Analysis of API Scores	p. 60
Statewide Nonlongitudinal Student Data	p. 60
Longitudinally Linked Student Data	p. 61
Competitive Effects of Charter Schools	p. 62
Authorization, Governance, and Oversight of Charter Schools	p. 63
Introduction	p. 63
Authorization of Charter Schools	p. 64
Description of Chartering Authorities	p. 64
Development and Evaluation of Charter Petitions	p. 66
The Outcomes of Charter Petitions	p. 68
Closed or Revoked Charter Schools	p. 70
Denied Charter Petitions	p. 70
Governance of Charter Schools	p. 71
Dependent and Independent Charter Schools	p. 72
Legal Liability in Charter Schools	p. 73
Charter School Autonomy	p. 74
Oversight of Charter Schools	p. 77
Characteristics of Chartering Authority Oversight of Charter Schools	p. 78
Chartering Authority Actions Toward Charter Schools	p. 79
Services Provided by Chartering Authorities	p. 82
Summary	p. 82
Authorization	p. 82
Governance	p. 83
Oversight	p. 84
Services	p. 84
Charter School Finances and Facilities	p. 85
Introduction	p. 85
Charter School Funding	p. 85
Meeting Legislative Requirements	p. 88
Participation in Categorical Aid Programs	p. 91
Private Donations to Charter Schools	p. 100
Charter School Expenditures	p. 103
Facilities	p. 106
Other Fiscal Challenges	p. 112
Summary	p. 113
Academic Environments of Charter and Conventional Public Schools	p. 115
Introduction	p. 115
Professional Development	p. 117
Chartering Authorities' Involvement in Professional Development	p. 117
Teacher Participation in Professional Development	p. 118
Curriculum and Instruction	p. 122
Programs and Scheduling Modifications	p. 122
Courses and Academic Program Requirements	p. 125
Computers	p. 128
Student Testing	p. 129
Parent Involvement	p. 133
Student Discipline	p. 137
Summary	p. 140
Staffing in Charter and Conventional Public Schools	p. 143
Introduction	p. 143
The Characteristics of Teachers	p. 144
Teaching Credentials	p. 144
Teaching Experience	p. 147
The Characteristics of Principals	p. 148
Credentials and Qualifications of Principals	p. 149
Administrative and Teaching Experience	p. 150
Working Conditions and Compensation of Teachers	p. 152
Working Conditions and Compensation of Principals	p. 153
The Composition of the Instructional Staff	p. 154
Principals' Use and Perceptions of Control	p. 154
Summary	p. 159
Special Education in Charter and Conventional Public Schools	p. 161
Introduction	p. 161
Identification of Special Education Students	p. 162
Special Education Service Delivery	p. 164
The Use of Special Education Aides	p. 167
Inclusion of Special Education Students in Assessments	p. 168
Funding and Provision of Special Education Resources	p. 169
Summary	p. 172
Conclusions and Implications	p. 175
Introduction	p. 175
Findings	p. 175
Student Achievement	p. 175
Accessibility	p. 176
Authorization, Governance, and Oversight	p. 177
Operation	p. 178
Challenges	p. 180
Recommendations	p. 181
Appendix
Research Methods	p. 185
Charter and Conventional Public School Comparison Methods	p. 199
Academic Outcomes	p. 201
Surveys Administered for the Study	p. 219
Bibliography	p. 273
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