SURVEY OF CHARTER SCHOOLS 1998-1999

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION PROVIDES CHOICE

        Charter schools provide multiple curriculum options, responding to the demand for better and more focussed curricula. Most charter schools adopt a specialized teaching strategy - one the school’s operators believe will best meet students’ needs (Figure 2).

        The curriculum programs offered by charter schools vary considerably. Some, for example, focus on specific disciplines (such as math and science or the arts) while others are built around students’ future plans (college preparation or school-to-work). The top five curriculum programs shown in Figure 2 are known for their academic rigor and integrity. While comparable data for all public schools is unavailable, anecdotal evidence suggests that charter schools specialize more than public schools over-all.

        District public schools are less likely to specialize because the instructional methods and curricula for the entire district usually are centralized.

Note: Write-in responses for "Other" include various state curriculums; subject-based curricula, including agriculture, arts and science, business, economics and health care; the Bank St. Model; character education; leadership and community education; computer-assisted learning; Edison Schools Project; experiential and hands-on learning; Marva Collins; project-based learning; neuro learning; Paideian philosophy; process learning; technology literacy; and life skills.

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Link to Excerpts of Charter Schools Today Report, including:

• Table of Contents

• Chapter 5: Survey of Charter Schools 1998-1999

Also: Selected Response From Individual Charter Schools:
        Successes
        Challenges
        Growth and Future Plans
        Academic and Other Programs
        Additional Comments

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Survey of Charter Schools 1998-1999 is part of Charter Schools Today: Changing the Face of American Education. The entire report is available for $19.95 + $3.00 shipping and handling. Order your copy on our publications page, or by calling CER at (202) 822-9000.

Charter Schools Today: Changing the Face of American Education is published by The Center for Education Reform [CER] a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1993 to provide support and guidance to individuals, community and civic groups, policymakers and others who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. For more information on charter school efforts, call CER at (202) 822-9000, or visit our Charter School Library.