2009
EDUCATION REFORM
Today
THE
AccounTAbiliTy
REpoRT
Charter Schools
Contributing editors:
Jeanne Allen
Alison Consoletti
Kara Kerwin
The Center for Education Reform
Washington, DC
February 2009
The Center for Education Reform changes laws, minds
and cultures to allow good schools to flourish.
2009
THE
AccounTAbiliTy
REpoRT
Charter Schools
2
© Copyright 2009. The Center for Education Reform, Washington, DC
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THE ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT • 2009
Charter Schools
As our nation endures the challenges of an economic crisis and struggles to remain
competitive, the cries for accountability across all public sectors are deafening. We are at a
crossroads in the American experience where we can either tackle the priorities that will most
directly affect our future or simply give in to the status quo and let history repeat itself. There
is no greater investment in rebuilding our nation than fixing our public schools. To do so,
lawmakers must boldly embrace education reform. Today.
For more than 15 years, the Center for Education Reform has thoroughly studied what works
and what does not. Many policies have been debated over the years, most having little to do with
student achievement. Only the biggest issues in education reform—school choice, transparency,
accountability, teacher quality and charter schools—have had any effect on improving
educational outcomes for our children.
Lawmakers should look no further than the 4,600 charter schools serving 1.4 million students
in 40 states and the District of Columbia to see these five pillars of reform at work. Charter
schools are innovative public schools designed by educators, parents