Changes to state charter school laws in 2005 produced “many improvements,” though many of the changes could be considered “tweaking,” a pro-charter advocacy group argues in a new report.
Further information on ordering “Raising the Bar on Charter School Laws: 2006 Ranking and Scorecard,” is posted by The Center for Education Reform.
The analysis gives seven states a grade of A for their charter school law. They include California, Indiana, and the District of Columbia, which all amended their laws last year.
California, in particular, saw its ranking climb since the Washington-based Center for Education Reform last ranked charter laws in 2004. It rose from 15th to seventh place.
Iowa and Mississippi received F grades. Mississippi also amended its law in 2005.
The center evaluated state laws on numerous criteria, including equitable funding compared with that of regular public schools, provision of multiple chartering authorities, number of charters allowed, and operational autonomy. The report also took into account how the laws were implemented.
