One year of scores is no trend. But I would not take any action or make judgments without a great deal of more information. Scrutiny is high for these introductory school reform models in Utah, however. Research shows parental involvement, the root of charter schools, helps create superior learning experiences. The same goes for small class sizes, enjoyed by nearly all of Utah's eight charter schools.
Charter schools are public schools aimed at providing parents with more school choices.
The schools might address special populations Riverton's Jean Massieu School specializes in American Sign Language and creatively teach state requirements. They are governed by boards of parents and teachers. Utah allowed eight charter schools in 1998. At least three more are waiting in the wings, thanks to a 2001 law lifting the schools' pilot status. About 1,700 are operating nationwide.