Broad Launches New Prize for Urban Charters

Winning network to get $250,000 prize

After 10 years of shining the spotlight on high-performing urban school districts through a $1 million award program, the Los Angeles-based Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation plans to do the same for urban charter schools.

Next summer, the organization plans to present the first Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools , which aims to reward charter school networks that can demonstrate high academic outcomes for their students with a focus on closing achievement gaps.

About 1.8 million children, accounting for 4 percent of public school students, are educated in charter schools. Such schools get public funds but typically are granted more flexibility...