CER News Alert

(Washington, DC 5/2/01) The Center for Education Reform (CER) released the Survey of Charter Schools, 2000-2001. The findings reveal that charter schools are held accountable for academic achievement, that they serve diverse populations, and that they use diverse, but demanding curricula.

The data comes from responses to CER's national survey of charter schools operating in the 2000-2001 school year and represent 346 schools of the more than 2,030 operating nationwide as of September 2000.

"The charter picture has sharpened considerably," said CER president Jeanne Allen. "These findings reveal a broader picture of charter school progress, than any other single survey to date."

Among those findings:

• More than 97 percent of charter schools report administering at least one standardized test annually.

• Most charters serve students who are persistently underserved by the current system including at-risk, minority and low-income students.

• Innovation continues to be a key component in charter school curriculum. Nearly a quarter of charter schools claim to be using "Core Knowledge" and/or "Direct Instruction" in their schools.

• Nearly two-thirds of charters have waiting lists at least half the schools' enrollment. Underscoring findings in CER's Ranking of Charter School Laws, states with multiple chartering authorities are home to nearly 9 times the charter schools than in states with a single chartering authority.

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The Center for Education Reform is 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 further information, please call (202) 822-9000.

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