The numbers attest to the needs these schools meet and the high levels of satisfaction that they are producing. First, charter students and parents both report clear educational improvement. Students of all races report sizable academic gains. Second, students and parents like their charter schools. Three-fifths of the kids say their teachers are better.
Half are more interested in their schoolwork.
Three-fifths say the charter school is safer and has better discipline than the school their child would otherwise be attending. Four out of five plan to keep their child in the charter school as long as it's available. Third, families and teachers are turning to charter schools for educational reasons. When asked why they chose their present school, charter parents' top answers are small size, higher standards, the schools' educational philosophy, greater opportunities for parental involvement, and better teachers. Major factors cited by teachers include school philosophy, class size, the presence of like-minded colleagues, committed parents, and greater teacher authority.