It's too early to know all the answers. But some things are clear. Prohibiting admissions tests and demanding accountability for results make the charter idea a controlled, not an unlimited, choice plan. Every day more educators and parents learn about the charter concept, and see it as a chance to create the schools they think make sense. The idea is spreading.
Charter schools are extremely diverse because of state and local factors.
Their approaches to education often vary dramatically from one another. Most charter schools are small, but they serve the great racial and economic diversity of students that make up public education. Charter school developers say that charter schools afford them an opportunity to pursue educational goals that they felt they could accomplish more effectively with fewer restrictions and stable financial support. Developers include educators, parents, and community members. She believes that charter schools are clearly filling the need in the education system.