Charter School: Quiet Revolution in American Education – 7/19/2023 – Education

Charter schools have been a central issue in heated debates about educational policies in the US, sometimes portrayed as a solution to educational inequality, sometimes as harmful agents to the public system. However, a recent study by the Center for Research on Educational Outcomes (Credo) at Stanford University suggests a more favorable outlook for charter schools than their critics would admit.

Charter schools are a form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in education. They operate like public schools but are managed by private entities such as non-profit organizations, universities, teachers’ groups or private companies. The term “charter” refers to the contract established with the local or state government, which defines the terms of operation of the school, including academic performance standards, curriculum, duration of the contract and conditions for renewal. These schools are remunerated based on the number of students enrolled and must serve the student population of a specific area, and may have their contract terminated if they do not meet established goals.

The study compared the performance of nearly two million charter school students with traditional public school students who had similar characteristics and prior test scores, and who would have enrolled in the same charter schools had they not been attending their respective traditional schools.

The gains are expressive. For example, in New York State, traditional public school students would need more than three additional months per school year to achieve the same performance as they would in charters. That is, they would only be able to match the results if they gave up their vacation. The benefits are even more pronounced for black, Hispanic, low-income, and urban students, segments that most closely resemble the public school student population in Brazil.

This impact on academic performance is attributed to the autonomy and responsibility of charter schools, which, with the flexibility to meet local needs, develop innovative and focused curricula. Furthermore, the dynamic of “survival of the fittest”, where low performing schools are closed or taken over by more successful operators, ensures continuous improvement in the provision of quality education.

While the success of charter schools is evident, the Credo study warns against complacency. He acknowledges that some charters underperform—17% of them underperform traditional public schools in reading, and 25% in math. The recommendation is that contracts be terminated, and these schools be managed by organizations with a proven track record of improving learning.

The Credo study also highlighted charters that eradicated differences in learning among students, regardless of their backgrounds, challenging the notion that structural inequalities determine student achievement.

Will these results influence the debate about charter schools in the US? It’s still uncertain. Ideological oppositions, particularly from teachers’ unions, are likely to remain unchallenged. However, studying the Credo may encourage a growing number of parents to demand better educational options for their children from local political representatives.

Given the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence and automation, it is imperative to review educational paradigms in Brazil and explore innovative strategies. Credo’s recent study highlights the effectiveness of charter schools for disadvantaged minorities, underscoring the relevance of experimenting with and rigorously evaluating Public-Private Partnerships in our education.

The opinions expressed herein are my sole responsibility and do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank.