- Main Menu-

Files

Free to choose charter schools : how charter and for-profit schools can boost public education / Trisha Jha and Jennifer Buckingham.
The report' explores the performance of charter and for-profit schools in the United States, Sweden, Chile, England and New Zealand. Its recommendations are "[1] Charter schools should be funded at an equivalent rate to government schools with similar student demographics. [2] Charter schools should be free, have open enrolment, and have flexibility and autonomy surrounding staffing and curriculum. [3] Strong charter laws that ensure accountability are crucial. The framework that exists between education departments and non-government schools already provides a solid base for this to be developed. [4] New start-up charter schools should be authorised only where there is proven demand. Conversion charter schools should be introduced where traditional public school management has failed, and where there is support from the community. [5] For-profit companies should not be barred from operating charters if they have a proven successful track record in operating schools. However, scrutiny should be rigorous and all financial dealings transparent. For-profit schools should be established only where there is sufficient choice among schools (i.e. a for-profit school should not be the only school available)." - p. 2. The report' explores the performance of charter and for-profit schools in the United States, Sweden, Chile, England and New Zealand. Its recommendations are "[1] Charter schools should be funded at an equivalent rate to government schools with similar student demographics. [2] Charter schools should be free, have open enrolment, and have flexibility and autonomy surrounding staffing and curriculum. [3] Strong charter laws that ensure accountability are crucial. The framework that exists between education departments and non-government schools already provides a solid base for this to be developed. [4] New start-up charter schools should be authorised only where there is proven demand. Conversion charter schools should be introduced where traditional public school management has failed, and where there is support from the community. [5] For-profit companies should not be barred from operating charters if they have a proven successful track record in operating schools. However, scrutiny should be rigorous and all financial dealings transparent. For-profit schools should be established only where there is sufficient choice among schools (i.e. a for-profit school should not be the only school available)." - p. 2.