This study reveals first that charter schools have experienced steady growth. There are today 249 approved charters in Arizona operating schools at 401 sites. Over 6 percent of Arizona s public school students have chosen to attend a charter school. Much of this growth can be attributed to the high approval ratings given to charter schools by their parents. Moreover, charter parents tend to select and rate schools based on academic criteria rather than amenities like buildings, extracurricular activities, demographics or class size.
Charter schools tend to be niche schools, responding to specific needs and interests.
Charter school management is marked by ingenuity, innovation and diversity. Charter schools are not experiencing a shortage of teachers. The overview of academic achievement is still murky but hopeful. However, charter schools were over-represented also among the lowest performing schools. Charter school operators frequently comment on the poor achievement levels of the students who transfer into them.