Parental involvement was a key ingredient in many answers. Black and white parents alike gave top priority to having schools free of weapons, drugs and gangs. The president also announced new Education Department estimates that more than 1,000 charter schools will serve more than 200,000 students in the 1998-99 school year. The report describes the charter school movement, and documents and analyzes ways in which charter schools are being established and run. The number of charter schools is growing.
Charter schools are in great demand.
Legislative trends are moving toward increased flexibility and relaxed limits on number of charter schools. Most charter schools are small and have non-traditional grade configurations. The program is designed to allow low-income families living in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami the opportunity to choose their child's school. The MICA project is modeled after CEO of Central Florida, which was organized in 1995 and is based in Orlando. Vouchers are available to children entering or currently enrolled in grades K-5.