In some states only new schools, with no previous history as either a public or a private school, can become charter schools. The legislation defines the kinds of charter schools that can be created. Another 24 served high school students along with other grades, and 91 served elementary students entirely or as part of a wider grade span. But, an initial look at enrollment patterns in California schools raised questions about where charter schools were likely to be developed and what possible long-term effects bear watching. The information concerning the education of special needs children in charter schools is mixed.
Preliminary data bring both good news and some concerns.
As noted in our earlier analysis of the legislation, three states permit the targeting of students based on academic ability, and two states are either vague or silent on this matter. To date there is no evidence of discrimination based on high academic performance requirements, but this bears watching as the number of charter schools expands. Two things about this list are noteworthy. First, the kinds of programs being conducted in charter schools are in some measure also present in public schools. It is too early to make any definitive statements about the success of charter schools.