SURVEY OF CHARTER SCHOOLS 1998-1999

INTRODUCTION

        The Center for Education Reform (CER) is pleased to present the results of its nationwide survey of charter schools, which includes data compiled from charter schools operating in the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 school years. The responses — representing 305 of the 1,208 charters operating as of June 1999 in 23 states and the District of Columbia — paint a picture of a diverse and vibrant system of schools.

        CER asked these charter schools general questions about their educational programs and operations, including, for the first time, questions about their budgets. In addition to asking for quantifiable data about demographics, operations and curriculum, CER asked open-ended questions about charter schools’ struggles and successes, current programs, and plans for the future. A copy of the full survey sent to charter schools can be found in the End Notes.

        CER’s survey is the largest sample to date of activities in and around charter schools nationwide. The schools’ responses illustrate some of the quantifiable, positive effects charter laws are having on education. For example, charter schools’ curriculum programs vary widely, but the top five in use are known for their academic rigor and integrity. In addition, demand for charter schools is rising, and parental demand, student satisfaction and entrepreneurial spirit are driving charter school growth. Half of charter school respondents said they plan to expand, and many indicated that their growth plans focus on academic programs and achievement.

        The range of responses reveals that every charter school is different. Charter schools, moreover, reflect both their own approaches to meeting student needs and the provisions of their states’ authorizing charter laws. Finally, these schools clearly are satisfying consumers and creating demand: 67 percent of respondents report waiting lists.

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THE SURVEY'S KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL.

        Charter schools deliver the smaller size that parents want and that is conducive to educational achievement. Average enrollment is about 250, and two-thirds of charter schools have significant waiting lists.

CHARTERS OFFER CHOICES.

        Charter schools have responded to students’ and parents’ well-documented demand for higher standards and more specific, comprehensive school curricula.

MOST CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE START-UPS.

        More than three-quarters of responding charter schools are start-up schools, a figure that continues to grow.

MULTIPLE CHARTERING AUTHORITIES LEAD TO MORE CHARTERS.

        A majority of charter schools are approved by an agency other than the local school board. Local school boards, however, chartered 43 percent of respondents, and they are more likely to grant charters when state laws allow for multiple charter-granting bodies.

FUNDING AND FACILITIES ARE MAJOR CHALLENGES.

        Nearly 40 percent of responding charter schools cite funding as a major challenge. Nearly one-quarter cite facilities as a significant challenge.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO DELIVER QUALITY EDUCATION.

EDUCATING UNDERSERVED STUDENTS.

        Charter schools serve large percentages of children who are typically underserved in America’s schools.

SUCCESSES TELL THE STORY.

        Individual schools’ responses are an important way to illustrate the success of and enthusiasm for charter schools. As Bluffview Montessori School of Winona, MN, said: "We were the first school in U.S. to obtain a charter (November 1991), and we have sure had an interesting time. We have gone far beyond our wildest expectations of success and owe it to those families who decided the district schools just don’t cut it."

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[Note: Most Endnotes and Appendices not included in electronic version.]

Links to:
Key Charter Survey Findings
        Smaller Schools with Longer Waiting Lists 
        Specialized Instruction Provides Choice
        Most Charter Schools are Start-ups
        Multiple Authorities Lead to More Charters
        Charter Schools’ Greatest Challenge: Funding
        Most Charter Schools Struggle to find Facilities
        Flexible Scheduling Promotes Learning
        Diverse Groups Operate Charter Schools
        Serving Special Populations

Successes, Challenges and Future Plans
        Accountability, Assessment and Success 
        Challenges
        Growth and Future Plans
        The Last Word

Notes on the Survey Methodology

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.