Complete Coverage

Seeking a Competitive Advantage

By Lynn Schnaiberg

Third in a four-part series on the new "education industry."Worcester, Mass.

First grade teacher Jill Kams runs a group of four pupils through a math lesson at Abby Kelley Foster Regional Charter School.

"Are we all in learner position?" the 24-year-old asks the children, all clad in burgundy tops tucked into khaki bottoms and seated in a row of chairs facing her. Immediately, they stop fidgeting, straighten up, and clasp their hands in their laps on top of their workbooks. Meanwhile, their 26 classmates work with an aide in groups or independently at their desks.

"Touch space C. What's 50 plus one?" Ms. Kams asks her group, as small fingers locate the problem in...