SURVEY OF CHARTER SCHOOLS 1998-1999

SERVING SPECIAL POPULATIONS 

        As Figure 9 illustrates, charter schools specialize in serving special populations of students, particularly those typically underserved by the district school system, such as at-risk (27 per-cent), special education (20 percent), minority (20 percent) and low-income (19 percent) students. 

        Because the survey provided little definition in this area, charter schools often checked more than one box, such as “at-risk” and “minority.” Interestingly, almost all respondents (80 percent) marked general population at the same time they marked a specific sub-population, demonstrating that most charter schools believe that their special populations reflect the general population they serve. That may be because a relatively large number of charter schools are in areas where children are most disadvantaged.

Figure 9: Populations Served/Targeted

(298 schools responding)

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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.