A Guide to Charter Schools

Research and Practical Advice for Educators

Robert Maranto editor Myron S Kayes editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Rowman & Littlefield

Published:8th May '06

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

A Guide to Charter Schools cover

Here is a short edited volume that brings together in one place, the best scholarly articles in charter schooling by national experts and leaders, written in a user-friendly fashion. It is the ideal introduction for those interested in the charter school movement with numerous insights for and by charter operators, administrators, and teachers as well as the academic community. The volume starts with essays explaining the history of education reforms past, in particular why their failures make charters a necessity. Additional essays examine such research questions as whether class size matters, how to end the teacher shortage, routes to alternative certification, why urban school reform fails, and how to make merit pay work. The second section includes essays outlining the key research on charter schools. Chapters examine such questions as how charter schools compare to district schools, how non-profit charters compare to for-profit charters, what determines teacher quality, and how the small size of charters makes for complex questions of accountability. The final section includes personal reflections, tips and horror stories from charter operators. In particular, essays examine why most charters have a tough first year, the difficulties of converting a private school to a charter, how to manage facilities, how to obtain grant money, and how to do good charter marketing.

Kayes and Maranto?s writings have always enlightened us as to how the education reform policies we advocate evolve into practice that affects thousands of students. Their perspective invites understanding over ideological hope, and their latest work combines the talents of others who likewise seek to provide us a window into the actual effect of our policies over time. Student-centered reforms such as charter schools now provide a history of over a decade of work. The next actions of educators and reformers should depend on a clear appreciation for the benefits we have inspired as well as the pitfalls we may have wrought. There?s nobody better to collect that history meaningfully for us than these two scholars... -- Lisa Graham Keegan, chief executive officer, Arizona Chamber Foundation; former superintendent, Public Instruction for the State of Arizona
The chapters in this book explore almost every nook and cranny of the issues involving charter schools, from how charters should be issued to what these schools should teach to how they are studied. Also the chapters span methodological approaches, from empirical analyses to case studies to participant recollections. The authors range from charter supporters to charter critics, from the right and from the left. In short, one would be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive and balanced picture of what we know about charter schools than what is found in this book. -- Jay P. Greene, endowed chair and head of the Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas, Ph.D., endowed chair and head of the Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas
Charter schools will be the savior of public education in the twenty-first century. Indeed, the redemption of public education lies in the system's willingness to become more and more charter-like. Yes, charter schools have their flaws, but A Guide to Charter Schools demonstrates that charter schools can overcome them where the current public school system cannot. -- Matthew J. Brouillette, president and CEO, Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives (Harrisburg, PA), former history teacher and public ch
Intended as an introduction for those interested in the charter schools movement, this volume presents scholarly articles on the subject by authors representing a variety of perspectives. * Reference and Research Book News *
A punchy and useful overview of many facets of charter schooling that will prove useful for friends and critics of charters alike and those who want to learn more about these new public schools. -- Andy Rotherham, co-director, Education Sector; member, Virginia Board of Education; Senior Fellow, Progressive Policy Institute
Kayes and Maranto’s writings have always enlightened us as to how the education reform policies we advocate evolve into practice that affects thousands of students. Their perspective invites understanding over ideological hope, and their latest work combines the talents of others who likewise seek to provide us a window into the actual effect of our policies over time. Student-centered reforms such as charter schools now provide a history of over a decade of work. The next actions of educators and reformers should depend on a clear appreciation for the benefits we have inspired as well as the pitfalls we may have wrought. There’s nobody better to collect that history meaningfully for us than these two scholars. -- Lisa Graham Keegan, chief executive officer, Arizona Chamber Foundation; former superintendent, Public Instruction for the State of Arizona

ISBN: 9781578864058

Dimensions: 233mm x 154mm x 20mm

Weight: 356g

234 pages