A report from the Southern Regional Education Board recommends steps for policymakers to take in the interest of ensuring that charter schools in their states are being held accountable for improving student achievement.
The Atlanta-based organization urges education leaders to foster research about the performance of charter school students; fully support and adequately finance statewide K-12 education data systems; ensure that authorizing agencies and the charter schools they approve set high standards; ensure that authorizing agencies oversee charter schools consistently; and provide charter schools with sufficient regulatory freedom so they can apply innovative ideas.
“Charter schools present an opportunity for innovation in education, but they should not be provided flexibility without being held accountable for educational results,” the report says.
