The three include two state-sponsored evaluation reports from Minnesota and Colorado and a third, privately funded, report from Massachusetts. Though each takes a different methodological approach and substantive focus, some interesting common themes as well as differences are apparent. The findings should be of interest to both charter school researchers and developers. The report focuses largely on basic descriptive information, school development, sponsor and community relations matters.
Charter schools enroll higher proportions of students of color than their host districts.
Governance issues are an ongoing source of concern for many of the schools and nearly all charter school boards are teacher-majority boards. Goal setting and performance monitoring is lax at too many schools. Many schools have vague or poorly understood goals and school board oversight of charter schools ranged from active to nonexistent. At least some boards may be asleep at the switch. Lack of startup funding, planning time, and facilities pose major barriers.