If the charter movement accomplishes only that, it will have been a worthwhile undertaking. To date, more than 50 reports on the progress, success rates and achievement of charters have been completed by states, universities, and regional and national groups. More than 80 percent show that charter schools are achieving their goals. A relative handful of charter schools have failed. Far from being an indictment of charter schools, however, these closures are evidence of accountability, one of the great strengths of the charter school movement.
Most charter schools tend to address the needs of disadvantaged students.
The Hudson Institute reports that half of charter school students belong to minority groups, while between 34 percent and 41 percent come from low-income families. Further, some states have enacted explicit policies for charter schools to serve at-risk or minority students. Connecticut has placed more emphasis on reducing the racial, ethnic, and economic isolation of students by requiring charter applications to describe what admission criteria the school will use and how the school will promote a diverse student body. The Connecticut Charter Schools Network. All rights reserved.