Description
Book SynopsisExamining school data going back more than a decade, this book measures how charter schools perform compared to traditional public schools. It argues that while charter schools may meet the most basic test of sound public policy, the evidence suggests they all too often fall short of advocates' claims.
Trade Review"It is difficult to find a book or study of charter schools these days that does not take sides in the raging argument over whether charter schools are the salvation or the scourge of our nation's schools. But Buckley and Schneider have pulled it off. Their book ... is a useful indicator of what is going on with charters nationwide."--Jay Mathews, Washington Post "Charter Schools uses research methodology to examine charters' performance in the District of Columbia."--Sean Cavanagh, Education Week
Table of ContentsList of Figures ix List of Tables xi Acknowledgments xiii CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1 CHAPTER 2: The Evolution of Charter-School Choice in the District of Columbia 22 CHAPTER 3: The Panel Study 44 CHAPTER 4: Are Charter-School Students Harder to Educate than Those in the Traditional Public Schools? 77 CHAPTER 5: Shopping for Schools on the Internet Using DCSchoolSearch.com 98 CHAPTER 6: What Do Parents Want from Schools? It Depends on How You Ask 115 CHAPTER 7: School Choice and the Importance of Parental Information 134 CHAPTER 8: How Do Parents Access and Process Information about Schools? 151 CHAPTER 9: Satisfaction with Schools 170 CHAPTER 10: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Parental Satisfaction over Time 205 CHAPTER 11: Building Social Capital in the Nation's Capital: Can School Choice Build a Foundation for Cooperative Behavior? 220 CHAPTER 12: Do Charter Schools Promote Citizenship among Students? 245 CHAPTER 13: Charter Schools: Hype or Hope? 267 Notes 287 References 305 Index 335
