ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
CHARTER SCHOOLS
The following document is an extensive Bibliography
of sources on charter schools. The entries are annotated in most
instances. A General Bibliography precedes the separate State
Bibliographies.
General Bibliography
Bibliographies by States: Click on the state you wish to see
General Bibliography
Allen, Charlotte Low. Choice: a Burkean dissent. The
American Spectator. V. 26. (Nov. 1993) p. 62-3. School
choice will centralize government power because it will
remove local control.
Allen, Jeanne and the Center for Educational Reform. School
Reform in the United States: State by State Summary.
Washington, DC., Winter 1995. This document attempts to
define the broad term of school reform. It then gives an
update on the reform movements that have been occurring
across the nation and in Puerto Rico. This document is useful
because it compares and contrasts the different reform
movements in many states as well as giving many pertinent
facts about those reform movements.
Alexander, Lamar. School Choice in the Year 2000 from Phi
Delta Kappan. V. 74, No. 10, pp. 762-766, June 1993.
According to Alexander, by the year 2000, school choice will
be a reality in most places; he discusses the establishment
of charter schools in California as an example.
Amsler, Mary. Charter Schools. Policy Briefs, Number 19.
San Francisco, CA; Far West Laboratory for Educational
Research and Development, 1992. This policy brief focuses on
the development of the idea of a system of Charter Schools,
discusses several current (at the time) models of Charter
Schools, addresses the implementation process, and talks
about state legislative efforts and federal progress in this
area. The document provides general commentary on the system
of Charter Schools as a whole and concludes they will be
beneficial to the American educational system.
Anderson, Lesley and Priscilla Wohlstetter. What Can US
Charter Schools Learn from England's Grant Maintained
Schools. New Brunswick, NJ: Consortium for Policy Research
in Education, 1992. This paper compares the existing US
charter schools to England's grant maintained schools, which
are essentially the same thing. It offers the longer history
of England's schools which have been in effect since 1988.
Applebome, Peter. Some Educators See Experimental Hybrids as
CountryÕs Best Hope for Public Schools. The Academy Charter
School in Castle Rock, CO. New York Times (Late New York
Edition), Oct. 12, 1994, p. B7. Highlights the educational
innovation happening at the Academy Charter School.
Bennett, David A. Will Public/Private Control Reinvent
School System Governance? The Education Digest, V. 58, Nov.
1992. From an excerpt from The School Administrator, Bennett
addresses whether public school governance will be reinvented
by private management. Although not specifically on charter
schools, it raises many of the issues such as accountability,
more parent involvement and alleviation of conflict within
districts that charter schools try to fix.
Bierlein, Louann, et. al. A national review of open
enrollment/choice: debates and descriptions. Opinion paper,
1993. This report examines the issue of educational choice
in detail, focusing on both opposing and supporting sides of
the debate. Finance issues, the supremacy of private schools,
and the bureaucracy of public education are highlighted.
Appendices include a description of the formal choice program
in fourteen states.
Bierlein, Louann and Lori Mulholland. Charter Schools: A
Viable Reform Initiative. Arizona State University: Morrison
Institute for Public Policy,, 1992. This policy brief from a
public policy institute reviews charter school legislation in
Minnesota and California, and provides detailed information
on statutory requirements, legal responsibilities, funding
mechanisms, and employment issues. They conclude that
charter schools will provide a net benefit to the educational
system.
Bierlein, Louann and Mulholland, Lori. Charter school
update: expansion of a viable reform initiative, 1993. This
report includes recommendations to policy makers considering
potential charter school legislation. It also provides
information on charter school formation, including
organization, appeals processes, and technical assistance.
Bierlein, Louann and Lori Mulholland. Charter School: A
Glance at the Issues. Arizona State University: Morrison
Institute for Public Policy, Feb. 1994. This policy brief
gives a general overview of charter schools and then gives a
synopsis of charter school results in each state with charter
school legislation. It also includes key policy
considerations.
Bierlein, Louann and Lori Mulholland. Charter School: A
Glance at the Issues. Arizona State University: Morrison
Institute for Public Policy, Sept. 1994. This is an update of
the Feb. 1994 policy brief and it includes a list of nine
elements of stronger charter schools.
Bierlein, Louann and Lori A. Mulholland. Comparing Charter
School Laws: The Issue of Autonomy. Arizona State
University: Sept. 1994. This policy brief defines charter
schools, gives several rationales for supporting the
formation of charter schools, and compares the degree of
autonomy in different states with existing laws.
Bossone, Richard M., and Polishook, Irwin H. School Choice.
Proceedings of the Conference of the University/Urban Schools
National Task Force (13th, Marina del Ray, CA, October 29-
30, 1992). New York, City University of New York, 1993.
This collection of 13 papers discusses charter schools and
school choice favorably, as well as providing information
about specific charter schools. In addition there is a paper
for school choice and one against.
Brown 40 years on. The Economist. V. 331 (May 28, 1994) p.
15. Free choice was the original key to integrating
AmericaÕs schools, but applied now, it may not have that
result. Choice may once again cause segregation.
Budde, Ray. Education by charter. Phi Delta Kappan. V. 70
(Mar. 1989) p. 518-20. School districts can be restructured
by setting up charter schools. Author models process of
setting up charter school and addresses positive impacts of
educational charters.
Bullard, Pamela and Taylor, Barbara. Making School Reform
Happen, 1993. Over 450 interviews with practitioners,
parents, board members, politicians, academics, union
leaders, consultants, and others are joined with background
literature and research to generate a portrait of effective
schools from across the nation, encompassing all
socioeconomic strata. The processes of personal and
institutional transformations essential to effective schools
are illustrated.
Central Michigan University Charter Schools Office: Dr.
Robert C. Mills, Director, 1994-1995. Publications:
Questions and Answers about Charter Schools, Charter
School Possibilities, Cautions and Concerns, NEA Position
on Charter Schools. Defines Charter Schools, aspects of
their existence, finance and legislation, CMUÕs involvement
in the Charter School initiative, the possibilities for
Charter Schools and their pros and cons in educational
reform.
Clark, Josh. Pro-Choice. Mother Jones. Goodfellow
Publishers, San Francisco, Sept/Oct 1993, pp. 52-4. Interview
with David Osborne, friend of Bill Clinton, and senior
adviser to Al GoreÕs National Performance Review. Osborne
advocates public choice, and prefers it over vouchers
(arguments provided). Claims need for a Consumer Reports for
public schools so parents can be informed before choosing.
Conn, Joseph L. The religious right pushes private school
vouchers at states. The Education Digest. V. 59 (Mar. 1994)
p. 26-9. Under the leadership of Lamar Alexander the
Americans for Schools Choice organization was formed. They
support school choice through vouchers, and raise the
question over whether public funds should be used for private
religious schooling.
Connie, Leslie. This isnÕt PS 123. Newsweek. V. 124 (Sept.
26, 1994) p. 70. Questions state aid for home schoolers
attending Noah Webster Academy, Mich. Addresses concern of
teaching Christian fundamentalist values with public funding.
Daily Report Card. The private eye school vouchers?: Still
on the agenda in Ohio (#4). April 12, 1995. Deals with the
current voucher issue proposed, and the conflicts of public
v. private education under the voucher plan.
David, Anna. Public-Private Partnerships: Private Sector and
Innovation in Education. (Los Angeles: Reason Foundation,
July 1992). Cites examples of educational privatization and
discusses its benefits. Mentions charter schools as a viable
method of increasing school autonomy and efficiency.
Fine, Michelle Ed. Chartering Urban School Reform.
Reflections on Public High Schools in the Midst of Change.
Teachers College Press, NY: 1994. Essays that discuss the
reform movement and examine the partnerships that inspired
charter schools. Reflects on comprehensive changes that
inform each charter and the personal and collective struggles
to institutionalize these new communities.
Firestone, William. State educational reform since 1983:
appraisal and the future. Educational-Policy, V. 5, No.3,
Sept. 1991, pp. 233-250. The Center for Policy Research in
Education (CPRE) embarked on a five-year study of the
implementation and effects of state education reforms in six
states (Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, and
Pennsylvania) with diverse reform approaches. This article
presents the research findings.
Gereboff, Barbara. Illusive Choices. Tempe, Educational
Policy Studies Laboratory, 1993. GereboffÕs policy brief
describes, using specific states and specific schools, the
general pros and cons of the school choice debate and
advocates a stand that most school choice initiatives are not
viable solutions.
Getting started: how choice can renew your public schools.
The OERI Roundtable of Public School Choice. (Aug. 1991). A
step-by-step guide to instituting school choice including a
section on starting new schools. Also details possible
setbacks.
Glass, Gene V. School Choice: A Discussion with Herbert
Gintis. Education Policy Analysis Archives. V. 2, No. 6
(Feb. 20, 1994). Eighteen educators and scholars discuss
school choice and the introduction of competition into
education.
Glazer, Nathan. American public education: the relevance of
choice. Phi Delta Kappan. V. 74 (Apr. 1993) p. 674-50.
School choice would eliminate bad schools and get rid of
bureaucracy. Choice would institute a free market system.
Haag, Susan. Educational Choice. Tempe, Educational Studies
Laboratory, 1992.
Haag presents in this brief a very objective account of the
standard pros and cons of school choice. The document takes a
speculative look at Charter Schools in addition to such other
common choice options as magnet schools and vouchers systems.
Hill, Paul T. Reinventing Urban Public Education Phi Delta
Kappan, V. 75, N. 5, p. 396-401, Jan. 1994. Discusses
contracting, an alternative form of public education
governance building on the charter school movement, as a
systematic reform which will eliminate political, contractual
constraints that create fragmented, unresponsive schools.
Hull, Jon. The State of the Union. Time. Jan. 30, 1995, p.
52. Frustrated by poorly run public schools, activist
parents are changing American education with reforms from
school vouchers to charter schools and the private management
of public schools.
Improving AmericaÕs School Act. Title X, part C, sections
10301-10307.
Guidelines for funding charter schools as set by the federal
government.
Johnson, Bob. Sacrificing liberty for equality: the erosion
of local control in American education. Occasional paper for
the Louisiana LEAD Project, 1988. The local school board has
traditionally been the predominant control mechanism for
public education in this country. Since the 1970Õs however,
increased legislation and reform in state houses across the
nation have functioned to reduce the discretion enjoyed by
local boards. This paper represents an attempt to sketch this
increase in state intervention and the resulting erosion of
local control over the past few decades.
K through 12 School Reform: Implications and Responsibilities
for Higher Education. Sacramento: Intersegmental Coordinating
Council, 1993. This report reviews the history of reform
movements in California, and includes a discussion of
restructuring, a California euphemism for charter
schools.
Kolderie, Ted. The Charter Idea in the 1995 Legislative
Sessions, Public Services Redesign Project. Saint Paul, MN.
Feb. 4, 1995. Kolderie briefly overviews the progress of
charter school bills across the nation. He notes that the
various ideas about what charter schools are has resulted
in very different legislation. Kolderie comments on the
existing charter schools, and mentions that more and more
people believe that charter schools can be a positive
solution to many of todayÕs educational problems.
Kolderie, Ted. A Guide to Charter Activity, Public Services
Redesign Project. Saint Paul, MN. Feb. 4, 1995. This
document simply lists national and state resources that are
knowledgeable about charter schools. Addresses and phone
numbers of specific influential groups and individuals are
mentioned for the convenience of the reader.
Lange Cheryl and James E. Ysseldyke. "How School Choice
Affects Students with Special Needs." Educational
Leadership. v 52 n 3, Nov 1994. 84-85. This article
evaluates the affect of charter schools on special needs
children and the parental satisfaction.
Lesile, Connie and Debra Rosenberg. Taking Public Schools
Private. Newsweek. V.123, June 20, 1994. The article
mentions charter schools in a brief overview of for profit
companies. Notes the Edison Project and Education
Alternatives Inc.
Lockman, Norman. Charter Schools need to be handled with
care. The Wilmington News Journal, Apr. 4, 1995. The
articles addresses the issue of using public funds for
private schools, and asserts that traditional public schools
squander money. It analyzes the arguments of both the critics
and the proponents.
Lodras, Ellen. The Changing Role of School Boards. ERIC
Digest, No. 84, 1993. Discusses how charter schools are an
attempt to solve the problems of school governance.
Mahtesian, Charles. The Precarious Politics of Privatizing
Schools. Governing, V. 7, June 1994. The precarious
politics of privatizing schools addresses the battle over
privatization in Washington, D.C. The article also talks
about the Baltimore experiment with the company Education
Alternatives Inc. The article gives insightful information in
how teacherÕs unions organize to stop changes in the school
system that might adversely affect them.
McGroarty, Daniel. EducationÕs long march. Policy Review.
No. 69 (Summer 1994) p. 53-9. Deals with school choice and
charter school initiatives including the political rational
behind the issues.
Millot, Marc Dean. "Autonomy, accountability, and the values
of public education: a comparative assessment of charter
school statutes leading to model legislation." (Dec. '94).
Analyzes existing state statutes.
Millot, Marc Dean. What are Charter Schools? An Introduction
to the Concept and the Statutes. RAND Corporation. An
overview of charter school legislation with a concentration
on the autonomy of charter schools. Michigan is among the
states discussed.
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory staff, Charter
Schools
Update Bottom Up Reform Policy Briefs: Summer 1994 (11
pages). Brief provides commentary and updated information
about charter schools, a new breed of outcomes-based schools
that promise to combine greater innovation with
accountability within the public school context.
Parent Power. The Economist. V. 331 (May 7, 1994) p. 83.
A new study about treating education as a commodity. School
choice creates a market in education. This forces politicians
to true to ensure equality within the system.
Perlman, Ellen. Ten Legislative Issues to Watch in 1995.
Congressional Quarterly Governing Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 5
(Feb. 1995) p. 24. Spirited action is expected in Nevada,
Louisiana, and Texas. Wave of conservatism in US is
reinvigorating demands to offer students more choices. Strong
resistance to vouchers for private schools remains. Charter
schools are likely to prove easier to pass.
Pipho, Chris. Bipartisan charter schools; educational
reform. Phi Delta Kappan, V. 75, October 1993. Provides an
overview of charter school legislation. Mentions an
interesting situation in which a charter school law in
Colorado was not passed.
Pisano, Leah. Edutrain: A Charter School for At-Risk Kids.
The Education Digest. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Prakken
Publications, Inc., 1994, pp. 64-6. This article examines
the way a charter school is run for at-risk kids in Los
Angeles.
Randall, Ruth E. WhatÕs After School Choice? Private
Practice Teachers and Charter Schools. The Education Digest.
Ann Arbor, Michigan: Prakken Publications, Inc., 1993, pp.
38-41. This article discusses two alternatives of school
choice: private practice teachers and charter schools, and
the consequences of each.
Raywid, Mary Anne. The Struggle and Joys of Trailblazing: A
Tale of Two Charter Schools. Phi Delta Kappan, March 1995.
This article discusses the stories of two charter schools in
Jefferson County of Denver, Colorado.
Rebarber, Theodor. State Policies for School Restructuring.
National Conference of State Legislatures. Denver, CO, 1992.
RebarberÕs article provides some general information to the
feasibility of Charter School legislation; however, he
focuses on systems in Dade County, Chicago, Minnesota, and
Kentucky. He provides no specific information regarding the
six states in this section of the report.
Sautter, Craig R. Charter Schools: A New Breed of Public
Schools. North
Central Regional Educational Laboratory, Office of
Educational Research and Improvement: Policy Briefs, No. 2,
1993 (25 pages). Clarifies the definition of charter schools
and explores their place in school restructuring and reform
by describing existing charter schools in Minnesota and
California, examining legislative and contract guidelines,
and discussing the future possibilities of charter schools.
Scriber, Charles. Perceptions of principals toward
educational vouchers. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting
of the Mid-South Educational Research Assoc., New Orleans,
LA, Nov. 10-12, 1993. This paper presents findings of a
study that examined the perceptions of public and private
school principals toward educational vouchers. A survey of
500 principals in five southeastern states. Thirty percent of
the public school principals and 90% of the private school
principals supported educational vouchers. The degree to
which principals supported vouchers appears to be directly
related to how they believe it will affect their schools or
jobs. Their attitudes may be rooted in financial and personal
reasons, rather than in consideration of the effects on
education.
Sheane, Kim and Louann Bierlein. Open Enrollment/Educational
Choice: A National Review. 1991 (56 pages). Provides
information on open enrollment/choice programs in various
states including: Washington, Oregon, Ohio, and Colorado.
Should school choice be included in federal education
reform? Congressional Digest. V. 70 (Dec. 1991) p. 298+.
Reviews by various authors representing both pros and cons of
public school choice policies with analysis of various
issues. Pro choice argument by Richard Armey of Texas.
William J. Jefferson of Louisiana writes against choice.
Smith, Kevin B. Policy, markets, and bureaucracy:
reexamining school choice. The Journal of Politics. V. 56
(May 1994) p. 475-91. Questions of the effectiveness of the
public choice policy option.
Strategic Investment: Tough Choices for AmericaÕs Future.
Washington: National GovernorÕs Association, December 1994.
This is a conventional government report examining charter
schools, especially in Minnesota and California. It notes
that charter schools could be a feasible way of meeting
demands made by parents without providing private school
choice.
Sylvester, Kathleen. The Charter School Experiment.
Governing. V. 6 (June 1993) p. 39. Charter schools can be
effective when choice and innovation are combined. Further
effectiveness comes from meeting the individual needs of
students and combining these needs with community support.
United States Department of Education. Part C: Public Charter
Schools.
Sections 10301-10307, 1995. Outlines congressional findings
and purpose of Charter Schools, definitions, program
authorization, administration, national activities, and
authorization of appropriations.
United States General Accounting Office. Charter Schools: New
Model for Public Schools Provides Opportunities and
Challenges. Washington, D.C.: Jan. 18, 1995.
This report to congressional requesters addresses certain
issues about charter schools, such as approval and appeals of
obtaining a charter; funding of charter schools; federal and
state regulations; and the accountability of charter schools.
It focuses on the eleven states with charter schools,
including California. It also provides a list of proposed or
approved charter schools as of May 1994. GAO reports often
influence the formation of government policies, and this
positive report could have a significant effect in the long
run in promoting charter school legislation in other states.
Wallis, Claudia. A Class of Their Own. Time. V. 144, Oct.
31, 1994, p. 52-61.
This article looks at charter schools, school districts run
by for profit companies and alternative high schools. The
article uses many examples, mostly from the states of
Michigan and California. It offers a comprehensive view of
opposing views to charter schools while still showing the
positive aspects. It also includes an insert on public
schools in Baltimore run by the for profit company, Education
Alternatives Inc.
Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction: Northwest Network by State INTERNET addresses:
Covering Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, United
States Department of Education, Region 10, and Northwest
Regional Education Laboratory.
Wohlstetter, Priscilla. What can U.S. charter schools learn
from EnglandÕs grantÐmaintained schools? Phi Delta Kappan.
V. 75 (Feb. 1994) p. 486-91.
Examines early experiences of grantÐmaintained schools in
Britain and considers the challenges which face charter
schools in the U.S.
Ysseldyke, James E. and others. School choice programs in
the fifty states. Research Report No. 7. Enrollment options
for students with disabilities. Minneapolis, Minnesota:
Minneapolis College of Education, 1992 (27 pages).
Identifies and outlines the types of choice programs within
each state.
Zinser, Jana. Reinventing Education. Issue Paper No. 1,
Investing in people project. 1994 (46 pages). Provides an
overview of the issues and concerns surrounding the
restructuring of schools in the form of charter schools as
well as other measures of restructuring.
State by State
(Note: Some titles are redundant with those listed under
general resources.)
ARIZONA
Contacts: Lisa Graham, state superintendent: (602) 542-5460;
Sen. Tom Patterson: (602) 542-5955; John Kakritz, Goldwater
Institute: (602) 256-7018
"A mixed outlook on education reforms". The Phoenix Gazette,
4/10/95, p. B4.
This editorial addresses the flip side of less regulation and
governmental interference. Allowing districts the options of
dropping courses such as environmental studies or Spanish
might be making education less relevant to what is happening
in our world.
Barker, Elizabeth. "Another era awaits; Private academy will
go public". The Arizona Republic, 4/19/95, p.1. A private
school, focusing on college prep academics, leadership
skills, and the environment, will go public next year. A
large influx of students is expected.
Barker, Elizabeth. "Board rejects plan for arts charter
school". The Arizona Republic, 3/24/95, p. 4. An arts
charter school, approved by the State Board of Education, was
not approved by the Scottsdale school district. The argument
against the school was based on a fear of a talent and money
drain from the district. The district would lose its best
students and $350,000 in state funding.
Barker, Elizabeth. "Charter School OK is sought; Group hopes
similar denial won't bar them". The Arizona Republic,
4/21/95, p.1. Organizers of an economics-based charter
school are hoping that the Scottsdale school board's denial
of a lease to a performance arts charter school last month
does not signal a precedent. EduPreneurship uses economics
to teach core subjects like writing and math.
Bierlien, Louann, Mulholland, Lori. "Comparing charter
school laws: the issue of autonomy". Policy brief, 1994.
This publication defines charter schools; highlights the
appeal of such schools; offers nine elements of "stronger"
legislation; and classifies existing laws into two broad
categories--those granting more autonomy and those granting
less autonomy--as a way to distinguish those laws that appear
to hold the most promise of success. Arizona is one of the
states which passed legislation granting more autonomy to
charter schools.
Boaz, David. "Learning opportunities." National Review. v.
46 (Sept. 12 '94) p. 50+.
Choice supporters should support many initiatives to liberate
children "from the failing state monopoly". Includes Arizona
choice plan, including the possible introduction of up to
8,000 vouchers by 2000.
Bracy, Gerald W. "No magic bullet." Phi Delta Kappan. v.
74 (Feb. '93) p. 495-6.
Reports from researchers at the Economic Policy Institute
symposium. Questions whether choice will improve performance
of students in worldwide tests.
"Charter School aims to aid teens". The Arizona Republic,
4/17/95, p.2. One of the first charter school in the state--
aimed at teens who have failed in traditional high schools--
now is registering students for its opening in August.
"Charter Schools: New Model for Public Schools Provides
Opportunities and Challenges." United States General
Accounting Office. (Jan. '95). Compares and contrasts
existing charter schools in different states including
Arizona.
"Charter schools-shafts of hope". Mothering, 3/22/95, no.
74, p. 25 A mother's view on charter schools. Students and
teachers are not chained to a system of regulation and
standardization. Charter schools give parents, students, and
teachers more freedom for impromptu field trips and
excursions.
"How about the whole truth?" The Arizona Republic, 3/25/95,
p. B6. This middle-income, pro-education citizen believes
that charter schools help only a very small percentage of the
population. He thinks he is being misled when more money for
education is proposed because funding doesn't support
everyone. Charter schools and open enrollment are not
"worthy causes".
Mattern, Hal. "Modified Voucher plan is dead. Last try this
year to alter school line; Will return'". The Arizona
Republic. 4/13/95, p. B1. A last-ditch effort by state
lawmakers to pass a school-voucher program fizzled, finally
putting the issue at rest, at least for this year. The plan
proposed would have created a $30 million fund for grants to
parents for alternative schools. Legislators, rushing to
adjourn their 1995 session, realized they lacked sufficient
votes for passage.
Mattern, Hal. "Receivership plan for schools; Failures could
cost them control". The Arizona Republic. 3/22/95, p. A1.
A bill would allow the state to place bad schools into
receivership, which would be the same as to a judge
appointing someone to manage a company that is trying to
emerge from bankruptcy. The plan is designed to make schools
more accountable for the academic achievement of their
students. Once in receivership, a public or private entity
would be chosen to run the school.
Millot, Marc Dean. "Autonomy, accountability, and the values
of public education: a comparative assessment of charter
school statutes leading to model legislation." (Dec. '94).
Analyzes existing state statutes including Arizona.
Millot, Mark Dean. "What are charter schools? An
introduction to the concept and statutes." Rand: 1995.
Compares live states including Arizona according to statutes
and in the general reform scheme.
Noble, Audrey and Smith, Mary, Lee. "Old and new beliefs
about measurement-driven reform: build it and they will
come". Educational Policy, vol.8, no. 2, June 1994, pp.
111-36. This article examines the recent performance
assessment in Arizona's test mandate. The authors believe
that open systems are needed to foster lasting change in
pupil learning and reforming schools.
Perlman, Ellen. "Ten Legislative Issues to Watch in 1995".
Congressional Quarterly Governing Magazine. vol. 8, no. 5,
Feb. '95, p. 24.
Petrie, Bob. "Traditional school issue simmers". The Arizona
Republic, 4/10/95, p.1.
A very heated debate took place regarding the issue of
creating a traditional school campus. Parents and education
officials have conflicting interests.
"Playing politics with our kids". The Arizona Republic,
3/22/95, p. B4. Education may gain in the state's next
budget, but education for students in the schools will not
gain, Public schools will not benefit from the increased
budget because it is for enrollment growth, not quickly.
"Senate Bill 1361". State of Arizona, Senate, Forty-second
Legislature, First Regular Session, 1995. Arizona Charter
School Act.
"The bills that made it". The Arizona Republic, 4/14/95, p.
A10. State Board of Education and state Board for Charter
Schools can approve 25 charter schools a year each and
charter school employees can join the state retirement
system.
"The Status of School Choice in Arizona 1991-1992". Research
and Development Division Statistical Report, 1992. Arizona
Department of Education conducted a survey of enrollment
characteristics in the state's 221 school districts and
examined reasons for inter-district transfers. Most district
superintendents support open enrollment, and the majority of
districts can accommodate additional nonresident students.
"Valley Digest". The Arizona Republic. 3/31/95, p. 12.
School district has temporarily suspended its policy on
enrolling out-of-district students. The Legislature approved
"open enrollment" last year, but now there is not enough
classroom space, and much confusion on the issue has
developed..
"What's up". The Arizona Republic, 3/29/95, p.14. Four
charter schools are opening in the fall. Each charter school
must follow open enrollment rules and cannot deny admission
to students based on academic of physical abilities.
Wohlstetter, Priscilla. "Oversight of state education
reforms: the motivations and methods of program 'fixers'".
Research report, 1989. The oversight of state education
reforms is explored in this paper, with a focus on the
motivations of program fixers and the strategies they use to
guide implementation. 57 interviews were conducted with
legislators, committee staff, and legislative agency staff to
analyze the program fixing process in six states, including
Arizona.
California
Stein, Joseph H. Jr. Memo to Superintendents and Deans in
California. January 13, 1993.
Obtained from a Gopher
server: Click
Here.
This memo discusses the recent history of educational reform
efforts in California and describes how the charter school
laws there came about. He discusses the various interest
groups who affected the process, including the American
Federation of Teachers, and he details the various early
attempts at reform and their evolution into the current law.
He also includes a summary of the legislation.
Olson, Lynn. California is Second State to Allow Charter
Schools from Education Week, vol. XII, no. 4. September 30,
1992. This article mentions various positive responses to
the emergence of charter schools by such influential
individuals as Governor Pete Wilson, State Senator Gary Hart,
and Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Honing. Olson
also notes that discrimination has been barred from charter
schools; that charter schools are permitted to set admissions
requirements; and that appeals for previously rejected
charter schools are permitted.
California Charter School Experience. No author or source
is available; article was found at the following gopher:
Click Here.
This article mentions the goals of CaliforniaÕs charter
school laws and gives some specifics on the length of time
granted for each charter, regulatory provisions, and others.
It mentions a few model charter schools that have already
been established, as well as the effects of deregulation on
educational improvement. This is a very brief essay and
contains only a few basic facts.
Ruenzer, David. "Two Schools of Thought," Teacher Magazine.
April 1995. In his article, Ruenzer focuses on two schools
in Palo Alto, California: Hoover and Ohlone elementary
schools. Although in the same district, these two schools
have very different conceptions of education. Hoover is more
traditionalist, emphasizing structure, drill, and practice.
Ohlone, on the other hand, is a progressive school more
interested in freedom and individualism. These two schools
show that the conflicts between parental interests can be
resolved by offering public school choice and/or charter
schools.
Alexander, Lamar. School Choice in the Year 2000 from Phi
Delta Kappan. Vol. 74, no. 10, pp. 762-766, June 1993.
According to Alexander, by the year 2000, school choice will
be a reality in most places; he discusses the establishment
of charter schools in California as an example.
Strategic Investment: Tough Choices for AmericaÕs Future.
Washington: National GovernorÕs Association, December 1994.
This is a conventional government report examining charter
schools, especially in Minnesota and California. It notes
that charter schools could be a feasible way of meeting
demands made by parents without providing private school
choice.
K through 12 School Reform: Implications and
Responsibilities for Higher Education. Sacramento:
Intersegmental Coordinating Council, 1993. This report
reviews the history of reform movements in California, and
includes a discussion of restructuring, a California
euphemism for charter schools.
Dianda, Marcella and Ronald Corwin. An Early Look at Charter
Schools in California. San Francisco: Far West Laboratory
for Educational Research & Development. This is another
report reviewing the charter school experience in California;
the author makes recommendations on initiating such reforms
in other states.
Colorado
Applebome, Peter. Some Educators See Experimental Hybrids
as CountryÕs Best Hope for Public Schools. The Academy
Charter School in Castle Rock, CO. New York Times (Late New
York Edition) Oct 12 Ô94, p.B7 Highlights the educational
innovation happening at the Academy Charter School.
Broderick, Christopher. Big Win for Charter Schools:
Marshall School Must Open in the Fall, Judge Rules,
Ordering Denver Board to Cough Up Enough Money Rocky
Mountain News March 28 Ô95. Local, p.5A. Discusses the
financing issues and problems dealt on the Marshall School
and the broader implications on financing Charter Schools.
Broderick, Christopher. Charter Schools Losing Their Luster
Politics, Difficulty with Programs Prove Formidable Barriers
Rocky Mountain News Feb 12 Ô95. Local, p.22A. With the
implementation of Charter Schools, issues of curriculum and
educational programming have become a major concern among
parents and community members. Describes the new curriculum
barriers to Charter School reform.
Colorado: Senate Bill 93-183 Establishes the implementation
of Charter schooling in the state.
Meeting the Challenge: K-12 Public Education in Colorado,
1992. Colorado State Dept. of Education, Denver. 1992 (60
pages). Contains information about ColoradoÕs efforts to
implement: educational accountability; high expectations
and standards for student performance; teacher preparation
and renewal; and community support for restructuring.
Includes efforts in the context of charter schools.
Raywid, Mary Anne. The Struggle and Joys of Trailblazing:
A tale of Two Charter Schools. Phi Delta Kappan March 1995.
This article discusses the stories of two charter schools in
Jefferson County of Denver, Colorado.
Connecticut
Connecticut Task Force on Charter Schools Report. Hartford:
State Department of Education, 1992. This is a state
government report that advocates an experimental charter
school program of six schools. It contains detailed
information about how the legislation should allow these
schools to operate and how they would work.
Florida
House Bill 1191/ Senate Bill 2396. House Sponsors: Tedder,
Stabins. Senate Sponsors: Mckay, Kirkpatrick, Sullivan,
Harden. 1995 Session.
Miami Herald. "Charter Schools Closer To A Reality." April
21, 1995.
St. Petersburg Times. "House Votes To Allow Public Charter
Schools; The Senate has passed similar legislation. The
differences must be workes out before the experiment starts."
April 21, 1995.
Tallahassee Democrat. "Retired Teachers Wary of Charter
Schools." April 27, 1995. Briefs Section.
Tampa Tribune. "Charter Schools Bill Advances; The House and
Senate must reconcile differences in legislation allowing
privately run facitities." Apriil 21, 1995.
Tampa Tribune. "The Promise of Charter Schools." April 26,
1995.
Scriber, Charles. "Perceptions of Principals toward
Educational Vouchers." Paper presented at the Annual Meeting
of the Mid-South Educational Research Association, New
Orleans 1993. Findings of a study that examined the
perceptions of public and pricate school principals toward
educational vouchers.
State Polocies for School Restructuring. Better Education
through Informed Legislation Series. National Conference of
State Legislatures. Denver, CO, 1992. State legislation
policies for educational restructuring are examined in this
handbook.
Sun Sentenel. "House Passes Bill to Allow Charter Schools."
April 21, 1995.
Georgia
Amendment 19, Georgia House of Representatives, 1995.
John Rhodes, State Department of Education (404) 657-7637.
Packet sent from Georgia Department of Education, Twin Towers
East, Atlanta, GA, 30334.
Sen. Brown, Sen. Middleton, and Sen. Taylor, Senate Bill 54,
1995.
Coleman, Seth. Parents Support Addison Elementary's Request
for the First "Charter" Designation. The
Atlanta Journal and Constitution 16 March 1995: G1.
Cumming, Doug. 93 Georgia Legislature. The
Atlanta Journal and Constitution 11 March 1993: G3.
Cumming, Doug. Charter Schools A Lab For New Ideas. The
Atlanta Journal and Constitution 11 February 1995: C1.
Cumming, Doug. Georgia's Cautious Approach Works With
Existing Campuses. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution 11
February 1995: C3.
Cumming, Doug. Diverging Charter School Bills. The
Atlanta Journal and Constitution 11 March 1995: C4.
Georgia Code Ann. ¤20-2-255, 1993, found in Millot Appendix
F.
Wisniewski, Laura. Educational Innovations, Charting New
Territory. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution 27 June
1994: B5.
Hawaii
All information for the state of Hawaii was obtained through
literature contained in the General Literature section.
Idaho
Fadness, Gene. Legislators put quick end to dull,
harmonious session. Idaho Falls Post Register. March 21,
1995: A9. This article reports on the death of charter
school legislation in committee in Idaho.
House Bill No. 163. As Amended, As Amended
This document states the procedure for the creation of
charter schools. It is an amendment to an existing law.
Jacobs, Jim. Vouchers, charter schools not expected to
receive approval; Schroeder says he questions wisdom of tax
relief measures proposed by Gov.-elect Batt, House Speaker
Mike Simpson. Lewiston Morning Tribune. December 15, 1994:
1C. Sen. Gary Schroeder voices his opposition to charter
schools and vouchers claiming they will cause the creation of
elite and segregated schools in this report.
Stuebner, Stephen. Education Committee OKs Bill to Allow
Charter Schools. Idaho Falls Post Register. February
20, 1995: A7. Charter school legislation passed in the House
Education committee and was moving to the House floor for a
vote. Arguments pertaining to funding, accountability, and
creaming are discussed by charter school proponents and
opponents.
Vogt, Andrea. UI ED Chairman Pushes School Choice.
Lewiston Morning Tribune. November 12, 1993: 2C. School
choice which will increase parent empowerment is endorsed by
Nick Hallett, the chairman of the University of Idaho. He
claims that parents would know the best type of education for
their children and, thus, make good choices.
Wickline, Michael. Charter school proposal resurfaces; Plan
could have effect on demands of homeschoolers supporters of
vouchers and other interest groups. Lewiston Morning
Tribune. February 1, 1995: 2C. The article discusses Rep.
Fred Tillman's charter school bill which passed in the House
Education Committee and was ready to be debated in the Senate
Education Committee. Proponents view charter schools as
being financially sound and as introducing increased school
choice in the Idaho public school system. They fear, that if
this bill is not passed, a voucher program may be
implemented. Opponents are wary of private money entering
public education and the formation of elitist schools.
Wickline, Michael. Superintendent hopefuls split on charter
schools. Lewiston Morning Tribune. October 1, 1994: 6A.
The two candidates for superintendent of public instruction
debate their views on charter schools. Willie Sullivan is
wary of the unanswered questions such as their funding,
admission standards, and management. Furthermore, he fears
they will create a private school system within the public
school system. Anne Fox supports charter schools because she
feels they will introduce innovation and choice into
education and, therefore, benefit many students. They would
be held accountable to the local school board, parents,
teachers, and administrators by the goals they make in their
charter.
Illinois
"Charter School Is a Classy Success." Chicago Sun-Times.
September 12, 1993: 45.
This article describes a school currently in Chicago, that is
a precursor to the charter schools being discussed at the
time. The Foundations school is based on the faculty
teaching in a "progressive, holistic" manner.
"House teaches charter schools a hard lesson." State
Journal-Register (Springfield, IL). April 28, 1994: 3. The
Democrat-controlled House voted against a bill to create
charter schools. Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan said, "there's
no proven need for charter schools."
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory; "Charter
Schools Update", U.S. Department of Education, Policy Briefs;
Report 2, 1994. This brief contains a collection of
editorials from politicians, parents, and students on
proposed Illinois state charter legislation.
Regional U.S. Department of Education Offices: (Reference for
current legislation on charter schools.)
Region V. - Stephanie Jones (Illinois & Indiana)
401 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605-1225
(312)353-5215
Region X. - Carla Nuxoll (Idaho)
Jackson Federal Building
915 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
(206)220-7800
"School Plan Flaws." Chicago Tribune. January 23, 1995: 12;
Zone: N Voice of the people (letter). An editorial which
mentions some possible problems in the charter school bill
proposed by the state Republicans. One of which is the
unequal funding of charter schools, which is currently a
problem in public schools.
"Senate GOP panel OK's charter schools, trial voucher plans."
State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL). February 1, 1995:
3. The Republican-controlled Senate voted in a committee to
create charter schools.
"Senate OK's 3 School Reform Bills." Chicago Sun-Times.
February 10, 1995: 5.
This article discuss how the Senate voted 47-9 in favor of
the creation of 45 charter schools. The bill is scheduled to
go to the House of Representatives next.
"Springfield board considers setting up own charter school."
State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL). January 13,
1995: 4. Teacher unions have opposed charter schools because
they could be waived of work rules and other standard
regulations set up for public schools.
"Teachers Union Ends Fight Against Charter Schools." Chicago
Tribune. February 16, 1995: 10; Zone: N. Illinois Education
Association agreed to support the creation of 45 charter
schools after some concessions and compromises were made on
the part of the Republican-controlled House.
Indiana
Fahy, Joe. Bill to create charter schools is setback for
teacher unions," The Indianapolis News., April 12, 1995: F2.
Senators agreed to keep language creating charter schools in
H.B. 1443. It would allow school boards or other groups to
contract with teachers to operate charter schools.
Labalme, Jenny. IPS reform package revived during sessionÕs
frantic finale; The plan would hold schools, their educators
more accountable and let board end busing, The Indianapolis
Star, April 30, 1995: B4. A charter bill proposal , that
was in trouble from the start, failed to pass in the Senate.
Shankle, Greta. Indiana could adopt bill for charter
school. Indianapolis Business Journal, 15:51 (1995), 5.
Senate Bill 274, a bill which allows for the creation of
charter schools passed in the Senate, but has not been
scheduled for review in the House as of yet. The House
equivalent of the bill, HB 1465 barely passed in the House
Education Committee one month ago.
Simpson; McBride, and Fahy Final word on the key issues in
General Assembly; Education, The Indianapolis News,
May 1, 1995: A3. Although conservatives were in favor of
charter school reform, the members of the Assembly came to a
compromise by accepting new testing methods and other
reforms.
Regional U.S. Department of Education Offices:
Region V. - Stephanie Jones (Illinois & Indiana)
401 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605-1225
(312)353-5215
Louisiana
Sen. John Hainkel: (504) 581-8371; Sen. Cecil Picard: (318)
898-4304; Louann Birelein: (504) 769-8191; Shari: (504) 342-
0605.
Legislation
"Chartering a New Course. Breaking the Rules: Charter
Schools in Louisiana." Daily Report Card. v. 3, no. 324. #9.
April 26, '95. Summary of charter school bill for Louisiana.
Bill was approved to create at least eight charter schools in
the state.
"Legislative Issues". Sunday Advocate. 3/19/95, p. 13A.
Senate Education Committee is to draft a proposal to start a
pilot program to allow charter schools in eight public school
districts. The state will study the effectiveness of the
charter schools in those districts and then decide whether to
continue with and expand the program.
Myers, Doug. "Legislature gets over 300 education bills"
The Advocate, 3/29/95, p. 1B.
More than 300 bills have been introduced in the Legislature
aimed at improving education in Louisiana. Lawmakers clearly
want to improve discipline and halt a rising tide of violence
in Louisiana's public schools. The State Superintendent of
Education supports proposals to allow public school
districts to run experimental charter schools.
Parent, Tawn. "Legislature: A preview". New Orleans City
Business, vol. 15, no. 36, 3/13/95, p.1. Business groups
support proposed charter schools as an effective means of
changing a large bureaucratic, monopolistic system. However,
the charter school provisions faces heavy opposition from
unions.
Supporters
Maxcy & Spencer. "Educational reform in Louisiana".
International Journal of Educational Reform, vol.2, no.3,
Jul. 1993, pp.236-41. Public education seems a low-priority
concern for most Louisianans; 53% favor state-funded
educational vouchers.
Massachusetts
All Things Considered. National Public Radio. October 25,
1993: Transcript # 1281-9.
Proponents and opponents to charter schools argue their
views. Guests include Erin Song, Ballet Instructor
(proponent); Cecilia Seriano Bresnahan, Dir., Center for
Dance Education (proponent); Steve Wilson, Special Asst. to
Gov. Weld (proponent); John Shane, Vice Pres., of Museum
Programs (proponent); Bob Murphy, Pres., Mass. Teachers Assn.
(opponent), and Kay Reese, Mass. League of Women Voters
(opponent).
"Approved 1994 Charter School Applications," Executive Office
of Education. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 1994.
The fifteen approved charter school proposals in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts were summarized in this
document. Each school lists its location, sponsors, size,
the types of students to which they will cater, and their
missions.
Athans, Marego and Doris Sue Wong. As planning gets real
for charter schools, issue now is funding. The Boston
Globe. March 8, 1995: 23. The uncertainty of the source of
charter school funding is the primary issue being debated by
proponents and opponents. Opponents fear that if the state
does not assist with providing money to charter schools,
money will be siphoned out of the public school system
leaving them in disarray. The article also reports on Gov.
WeldÕs decision to grant a lease to the Renaissance Charter
School for under $1 per square foot. Proponents believe this
event shows the stateÕs commitment to charter schools.
Aucoin, Don and Doris Sue Wong. Applicants flood charter
school rolls. The Boston Globe. March 26, 1995: 1. The
public is excited for the implementation of charter schools
as shown by the number of charter school applications exceed
the number of available slots. Parents believe charter
schools will increase individualized instruction and
innovative programs and teaching methods. TeachersÕ unions
and some school officials fear that charter schools will
cause the downfall of traditional public schools as money
will leave school systems with children enrolling in charter
schools.
Cantrell, Cynthia. Charter school plan prompts concerns
over funding, space. Chelmsford Independent. March 23,
1995. Members of Chelmsford, MAÕs School Committee voice
their support for the concept of charter schools, but worry
that they will drain the traditional public school system of
funds. This would adversely affect the remaining students in
ChelmsfordÕs school system. Another concern mentioned in
this article is finding spaces to house the proposed charter
school.
Carton, Barbara. The AdmiralÕs basic training; Norman
Johnson plans school for teens at Fort Devens. The Boston
Globe . May 12, 1994: 53. This article chronicles the life
of Adm. Norman Johnson, the head of the Boston University
Charter School for at risk youths.
The charter school tuition bill. The Boston Globe. March
10, 1995: 22. This editorial cites funding inequities
between traditional public schools and charter schools will
occur as charter schools are formed and children leave the
traditional public school system.
Chartering excellence. The Providence Journal Bulletin.
April 18, 1995: 8A.
Charter schools are entities considered to improve education
in this article due to increasing innovation and
accountability and decreasing the influence of bureaucracy in
education.
Goodman, Carl. D. Law Office of, "Charter School Suit.
This is a
summary of a suit filed in Massachusetts to stop the use of
tax dollars for the funding of charter schools. Mr. Goodman
is a strong advocate against charter schools.
Hart, Jordana. Caution urged on school privatization. The
Boston Globe. April 2, 1995: A33. This article highlights
Albert Shanker's, president of the American Federation of
Teachers, remarks spoken at Harvard University's Graduate
School of Education. He warns his audience that
privatization efforts are not the cure all to American
education.
Hart, Jordana. School Committee OKÕs $444m budget; Funding
for charter schools left out. The Boston Globe. March 16,
1995: 35. Boston School CommitteeÕs 1996 budget excluded
funding mechanisms for the five charter schools scheduled to
open in Boston by September, 1996. MassachusettsÕs charter
school legislation states that the schools will be funded
with local tax dollars.
Lockman, Norman A. Charter Schools Need Be Handled with
Care. The Wilmington News Journal. April 4, 1995. Reasons
for proposing charter schools such as increasing innovation
in public education and parental involvement, are discussed
in this article. It also describes the Chelmsford Charter
School. There is a fear that charter schools will take all
of the exciting people out of the education system.
Massachusetts 1993 Education Reform Act. Chapter 71, Section
89. June, 1993.
These are the sections of the 1993 Education Reform Act which
discuss MassachusettsÕs charter school bill.
"Massachusetts's Charter Awards Include 3 Schools to Be Run
for Profit by Whittle." The Wall Street Journal. March 18,
1994: B3. Whittle Communications is announced as the sponsor
of three of Massachusetts's charter schools. The Edison
Project changed their initial plan of building hundreds of
for-profit schools due to financial problems.
Open doors at charter school. The Boston Globe. March 16,
1995: 12.
Charter schools will, according to this editorial writer,
create winners and losers due to the manner in which they
are funded. In order to maintain an equitable public school
system, the state must allocate funds to charter schools or
public school systems that house them.
Palumbo, Mary Jo. Boston could get performing arts schools
today Arts schools on docket. The Boston Herald. March 15,
1994: 39. The article discusses the variety of charter
school proposals submitted to the Secretary of Education for
approval. As a result of the different types of possible
programs, the education system will become more innovative.
Taylor, Jerry. Charter schools to offer creative
curriculums. The Boston Globe. March 26, 1995: Northwest
Weekly 1. Innovative education will result with the advent of
charter schools. Approved charters in Lawrence, Lowell, and
Chelmsford are described.
Wong, Doris Sue. $8m backed to offset loss to charter
schools. The Boston Globe. May 9, 1995: 1, 26. This
article outlines the House Ways and Means CommitteeÕs plan to
help alleviate the costs of charter schools to the towns
containing them.
Wong, Doris Sue. Senator wants to aid charter schools with
reform funds. The Boston Globe. May 10, 1995: 34. This
is the Senate Ways and Means CommitteesÕ answer to the $8m
recommendation from their counterparts in the House. The
committee would prefer to fund charter schools out of monies
from education funds that are to be distributed to schools
statewide.
Wong, Doris Sue. State funding sought for charter
schools. The Boston Globe. March 29, 1995: 70. The
LegislatureÕs Joint Committee on Education proposes to shift
the funding of charter schools from the towns to the state in
this article. This will decrease the funds that the
traditional public school system will lose with the
implementation of charter schools.
Michigan
Carton, Barbara. Ruling Roils Michigan Charter Schools, but
Few Ripples are Likely Elsewhere. Wall Street Journal. 4
November 1994: B5. Details October 19, 1994 decision by
Judge William Collette to issue an order temporarily
restraining the creation of charter schools in Michigan until
the constitutionality of Public Act 362 is determined.
McLellan, Richard D. Document for the Michigan Center for
Charter Schools. 24 May 1994
(Central Michigan University,
Gopher server). McLellan describes the governmental and
legal status of Michigan public academies (charter schools).
In addition, he outlines the requirements of the schools'
authorizing body, the chartering process itself, appeals of
rejected applications, the role of a charter school contract,
admissions criteria, location of charter schools, school aid
finds, teacher tenure, pupil transportation, private
donations, and distance learning.
Michigan Public Schools Academies Q&A (Central Michigan
University, Gopher server).
Description of Michigan's public school academies legislation
as enacted under Public Act No. 416. Laid out in a question
and answer format.
Oliver, Kathryn. Key Elements of Selected Educational Choice
Programs: A Telephone Survey Summary. 1991 (ERIC).
Describes elements of selected educational choice programs
resulting in the identification of three broad categories:
interstate, interdistrict, and intradistrict. Provides
information on 24 choice programs including those in
Michigan.
Patrick, Lawrence C. On Why Parents Need Choice (And WhatÕs
Taking so Long to Get It!) 1989 (ERIC). Article discusses
aspects of school choice, specifically how it has played out
in DetroitÕs public school system. Author is the President
Detroit Board of Education. He argues strongly in favor of
school choice based on the goals of DetroitÕs educational
system.
State Board of Education Office. Eight Public School
Academies Meet State Standards for Classification as Public
Schools. 20 October 1994 (Michigan Department of Education
Internet). Lists MichiganÕs eight public school academies
that are now included in the roster of approved public
schools.
Stecklow, Steve. Michigan Funding of Charter Schools to
Start Next Week. Wall Street Journal. 13 January 1995: A6.
Addresses the financing of charter schools as well as the
laws and regulations necessary for their establishment.
Vroom, Phyllis Ivory. School Reform, Charter Schools, and
Collaboration at Wayne State in Conversations. Vol. II,
issue 3: May 1995. Vroom discusses MichiganÕs charter school
legislation which allows other entities such as universities,
businesses, and unions Ñ as well as the traditional schools
districts Ñ to operate charter schools. Specifically, she
refers to Wayne StateÕs charter school and how its policies
stress equality of admissions, strong curriculum, and
accountability.
Dr. Robert C. Mills, Director of Central Michigan Charter
Schools Office. (517) 774-2100
Matt Beha, State Board of Education Office. E-mail:
af757@leo.nmc.edu
Barbara Barrett/ Bob Whitman, Michigan Center for Charter
Schools. (517) 394-5011
Gary Cass, State of Michigan, Department of Education. (517)
373-4631
Robert Schiller, Michigan State Superintendent of Schools.
(517) 373-3354
Tom Watkins, Wayne State University. (313) 577-5971
Sharon Johnson-Lewis, Detroit School District, handles
chartering. (313) 494-1865
David Olmstead, former member of Detroit Board of Education,
active in chartering. (313) 996-0900
Larry Patrick, President of Detroit Board of Education.
(313) 961-8280
Mike Addonizio, Wayne State University. Formerly Schiller's
deputy and Governer Engler's advisor. (313) 577-1728
Minnesota
Bierlein, Louann and Lori Mulholland. Charter Schools: A
Viable Reform Initiative. Arizona State University, Tempe:
Morrison Institute for Public Policy, 1992. This document
details Minnesota's charter school formation, the legislation
involved, other issues such as statutory requirements and
employment issues. This report also offers reccomendations
to employers in regards to other charter school legislation.
Charter Schools Update. Policy Brief. Report 2. Oak Brook,
IL: North Central Regional Lab, 1994. This document
presents developments in the NCREL region. Includes a letter
from students and interviews with parents from one of the
charter schools. This is useful for reactions to charter
schools.
Charter School Idea is a Worthy Effort. Mankato Free Press,
June 4, 1993. p. 12
Kolderie, Ted. "Chartering Diversity." Equity and Choice.
v 9 n 1, Fall 1992. 28-31. Explains issues involved in
starting up charter schools. The Minnesota charter school
law is discussed.
Minnesota Department of Education. Minnesota Charter Schools
Update. St. Paul, MN: April 1995. Volume VIII.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated. MN ST ¤ 120.064 "Outcome-
based schools." 1995. This is the official legislation for
outcome-based schools.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated. MN ST ¤ 121.8355 "Family
services and community-based collaboratives." 1995. This
is the official legislation.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated. MN ST ¤ 124.248 "Revenue for
An outcome-based school." 1995. This is the official
legislation.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated. MN ST ¤ 126.70 "Staff
Development Program." 1995. This is the official
legislation.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated. MN ST ¤ 126A.08 "Programs
established; implemented; in-service." 1995. This is the
official legislation.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated. MN ST ¤ 126A.09 "Integrated
curriculum development models." 1995. This is the official
legislation.
Minnesota Statutes Annotated. MN ST ¤ 126A.12 "Reporting."
1995. This is the official legislation discussing the
reporting of progress.
New Education Idea Enhances Quality. St. Paul Pioneer Press,
May 19, 1991. p. 46
North Central Regional Lab. Charter Schools Update. Policy
Brief. Report 2. Oak Brook, IL: 1994.
Pioneer Press. New Education Idea Enhances Quality. St.
Paul, Minnesota: May 19, 1991. p. 46
Sautter, R. Craig. Charter Schools: A New Breed of Public
Schools. Oak Brook, IL: North Central Regional Educational
Lab, 1993. This brief defines charter schools and examens
existing legislation in Minnesota.
Stewart, Dan and Sue Urahn. Minnesota Charter School: A
Research Report. House Research Department, December 1994.
This report defines charter schools, reports the school board
debate over the charter school proposals, characteristics of
the operating charter schools, a survey of parental reactions
to the schools, problems charter schools are experiencing,
and policy implications.
Strategic Investment: Tough Choices for America's Future.
In Brief. Washington D.C.Ê: National Governors Association,
1993. This document highlights the Minnesota legislation
concerning charter schools and also gives a brief overview
of the issues involved in forming a charter school.
Walters, Laurel Shaper. Charter Schools Offer Another
Choice. Christian Science Monitor, June 8, 1993. p. 12
Missouri
Senator Franc Flotron (314) 751-2371
Nevada
"A guide to charter activity." Public Services Redesign
Project. Center for Policy Studies.
Amsler, Mary. "Beyond the rhetoric of restructuring".
Policy brief number 16, 1991.
After a review of the current context of the restructuring
movement, different types of reform efforts are described,
including public financing, provision of youth services, and
student assessment. Examples of school and district
restructuring efforts in Nevada are described.
"Keys to changing the system". Report of the action team on
the school years, National Governor's Association, 1992. The
state initiatives described in this report are geared toward
meeting the national education goals. The initiatives
emphasize the importance of providing local flexibility in
exchange for accountability. The individual plan of Nevada
is summarized.
New Hampshire
Rubens, Jim et. al. Charter Schools and Open Enrollment Act:
New Hampshire Senate Bill 9-FN-LOCAL, April 2, 1995. The
New Hampshire state legislature is considering this bill,
which proposes the formation of charter schools. According
to the bill, local school districts would choose to allow or
not allow charter schools and/or public school choice. The
bill sets certain guidelines and procedures for establishing,
maintaining, and reviewing the proposed charters for new
schools.
Billin, Dan. Charter School Idea Attract Enthusiasts From
Upper Valley. Valley News, vol. 43 #275. March 11, 1995,
page A1. This newspaper article documents the enthusiasm
among certain educators and parents in the Upper Valley
region of New Hampshire in establishing their own charter
schools. Some reasons for their enthusiasm are
affordability, freedom from traditional educational methods,
and increased choice.
Berger, Peter. An Education Bill That Would Take Away Local
Control. Valley News, April 4, 1995, page C1. This
article, actually a front-page commentary piece, decries the
potential centralizing effects of the proposed charter school
legislation in Vermont. The author expresses his concern
that too much control would revert to the state level of
government in approving funding and content of public
education, not only for proposed charter schools but for
existing schools as well.
Hastings, Warren. Senate: Lawmakers, Educators Debate
ÔCharter SchoolsÕ Legislation. Manchester Union Leader,
March 10, 1995. Hastings covers the debate on the pending
charter school legislation in New Hampshire. He mentions
that State Senator Jim Rubens is the leader of the charter
school movement in this state, and that Rubens believes that
charter schools will allow more freedom in designing
curriculum. This in turn could lead to educational
improvement. Opponents are concerned that local taxpayers
will be forced to make up the difference when students
transfer from public to charter schools, and that charter
schools will not necessarily represent the entire community.
New Jersey
Clewall, Beatriz C. and Myra F. Joy. Choice in Montclair,
New Jersey: A Policy Information Paper. (New Jersey:
Educational Testing Center, January 1990). Results of study
on MontclairÕs magnet school system which was designed to
facilitate racial integration. The school system is a good
model for examining school choice and issues surrounding
creaming.
Commisioner Leo Klagolz, drafted charter version of bill
going through N.J. legislature, (609) 292-4450.
Joseph V. Doria, Jr., Former Majority Speaker., (201) 437-
5150
Herb Green, Public Education Institute., (908) 463-1603
Larry Leverett, New Community Corporation., (201) 484-0096
New Mexico
New Mexico State Ann., ¤22-8A-1 - 22-8-15, 1993, found in
Millot Appendix L.
Packet of Various Information sent from New Mexico Department
of Education
School Program and Professional Development
State Department of Education
Education Building
Santa Fe, NM 87501
including: House Bill 888, 1993.
Richard LaPan, Charter School Coordinator, (508) 827-6625
Ohio
Daily Report Card. THE PRIVATE EYE SCHOOL VOUCHERS?: Still
on the agenda in Ohio (#4). April 12, 1995. Deals with
the current voucher issue proposed, and the conflicts of
public v. private education under the voucher plan.
Home Schools The Cincinnati Enquirer: June 26, 1994
Increase in Home Schooling in Ohio and the pros and cons to
such an alter-native educational system. Including a Home
School v. Public School Question & Answer section.
Richards, Marva. Cleveland Summit on Education. (216) 579-
9980.
Stephens, Scott. Parrish Proposes Charter Schools. The
Plain Dealer (Cleveland) Feb 7 Ô95 Sec: Metro p. 3B.
Cleveland schools Superintendent Sammie Campell Parrish,
calling for bold and visible change, unveils a new set of
school reform initiatives that include establishing OhioÕs
first
charter schools.
Stephens, Scott. Charter Advocates to Hold Forums. The
Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
Feb 11 Ô95 Sec: Metro p. 1B. Two coalitions of politically
active churches are organizing a series of forums designed to
help city residents establish charter schools.
Stephens, Scott. --Miles Park Group Working on Charter
School Proposal. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) Feb 12 Ô95
Sec: Metro p. 1B. Describes community efforts to establish
a Charter School and the process of reintroducing a bill
which had been originally presented by former State Senator
Anthony C. Sinagra.
The Plain Dealer. "Charter Schools' Bill to Debut as Hot
Issue." May 25, 1994. Pg. 1A.
The Plain Dealer. "Charter Schools Called Effective;
Hearings to put 'Idea on Table.' " May 27, 1994. Pg. 7B.
The Plain Dealer. "Parrish Proposes Charter Schools."
February 7, 1995. Pg. 3B.
The Plain Dealer. "Welcoming Innovations." February 8,
1995. Pg. 10B.
The Plain Dealer. "Charter Advocates Hold Forums." February
11, 1995. Pg. 6B.
The Plain Dealer. "Miles Park Group working on Charter
School Proposal." February 12, 1995. Pg. 1B.
WECAN (Westside Eastside Congregations Acting Now). (216)
881-9650.
Oregon
House Bill 2829. 68th Oregon Legislative Assembly. 1995
Regular Session. Representatives Milne, Patti, et al.
Meinhard, Ph.D., Richard. Testimony on House Bill 2892:
Charter Schools. April 12, 1995.
Reinhard, David. "Chart(er)ing New Paths to School Reform."
The Oregonian. December 15, 1994.
Shields, Frank. State Representative, Multnomah County
District 16. (letters to Human Resources and Education
Committee).
Testimony of Rep. Patti Milne Before Senate Education
Committee January 17, 1995, Charter Schools.
Pennsylvania
Amsler, Mary. Charter Schools: Policy Briefs, Number 19.
1992 (ERIC). Article explores legislation and controversies
surrounding the implementation of charter schools. Refers
specifically to cases in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Ferguson, Laura. Parent Information Strategies: Helping
Parents Find Out about Schools of Choice. The article
explore the efforts of public school districts to provide
parents with information about school choice. Among the
examples cited are districts in Montclair, New Jersey and
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Fine, Michelle. The Public in Public Schools: The Social
Construction/Constriction of Moral Communities. 1987 (ERIC).
The author argues that public schools practice systematic
exclusion. She questions the educational ideologies of merit,
choice, and tradition with respect to moral exclusion. She
targets three schools, two of which are in New Jersey and
Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Charter Schools-Within-Schools (Central
Michigan University, Gopher server). The brief is about
schools-within-schools, which is a reform measure that
predates charter schools. Began in 1989, there are now 95
charter schools-within-schools in Philadelphia. Although
these schools are considered innovative, they are not
independent legal entities, they are not performance-based,
and they offer school choice--students are assigned to
them. Students seem to be improving as a result of the
reforms.
Charles Zogby, policy director under Governor Tom Ridge.
(717) 772-5300
Sen. Jim Rhoades, Committee Chair. (717) 787-2637
Bill Boyd, Pennsylvania State University, well-informed.
(814) 863-3779
Bob Feir, Pennsylvania 2000, well-informed. (717) 232-8700
South Carolina
HouseBill # 3388. and "Summary" Sponsored by Richardson,
Jaskwhich, Herdkoltz, Rogers, Stille, Waldrop, Wright and
Stuart. Educational and Public Works Committee, SC. 1995
Session.
The Island Packet. "Charter Schools; Group wants new form of
public education."
November 18, 1994.
The Island Packet. "Charter School Plan Gets Warm
Reception." November 18, 1994. Pg. 1A
The Island Packet. "Flynn Says Charter School Unecessary."
December 7, 1994. Local Section.
The Island Packet. "Nielsen: Charter Schools Need Local
Control." November 23, 1994. Pg.13A
The Island Packet. "Panel Explores Charter Schools Proposal."
April 19, 1995. Local Section.
The Island Packet. "Richardson Ready To Present Legislation
For Charter Schools." January 5, 1995.
Wilson, W. and others. "Attitudes Towards School Choice in
South Carolina." Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the
Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration,
Auburn AL. 1991. Survey and results of perceptions of school
choice among parents, teachers, education professors, and
superintendents.
Texas
Beth Ann Bryan, Bush's policy office: (512) 463-2198; David
Dunn, state budget education manager: (512) 305-9579
"Education for Tomorrow." The Public Reform Act of 1995.
Senate Bill 1 by Senator Bill Ratliff. Chapter 11. School
District and School Charters. Texas bill which provides and
sets guidelines for charter schools.
"Education chief must be an evangelist". The Dallas Morning
News, 3/1/95, p. 18A.
The exiting Texas Education Commissioner supports a multitude
of reforms, including charter schools, lessening government
regulation, and creating home-rule districts. Texas should
become a model for educational reform, he says.
"First Impressions: Report of the task force on early
childhood and elementary education". 1994. The task force
on Early Childhood and Elementary Education, created by the
Texas Board of Education in 1993, found that the current
system of early childhood and elementary education is
struggling to meet the challenges of childhood in today's
Texas. This report summarizes the task force's call for
schools to reconfigure themselves to keep pace with the
changing needs of students and communities.
Frazer, Linda & Rumbaut, Marilyn. "School based improvement:
what is needed for successful implementation?" Paper
presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational
Research Assoc. (Atlanta, GA, April 12-16, 1993). This paper
describes the implementation of the School-Based Improvement
(SBI) model in the Austin Independent School District, Texas,
which was piloted by a total of 28 schools during the 1990-
1991 and 1991-92 school years. The primary obstacles to
implementation were attributed to varied expectations, and
levels of ownership, differential training, a lack of
universal commitment and trust, a lack of ongoing training,
varied degrees of willingness to participate in collaborative
decision making and consensus building, and the impact of
change.
Markley, Melanie. "HISD to consider charter plan to empower
popular principal." TheHouston Chronicle. (Jan. 4, '95) p.
1A.
Markley, Melanie, "Legislator pushes charter school concept
for Texas". The Houston Chronicle, 12/18/94, p.1. State
senator is pushing charter bill. This concept is not
conceptually new to Texas: Independent school districts have
already been laying the groundwork. It is too early, experts
say, to assess the effectiveness of the roughly 100 charter
schools now in existence.
Markley, Melanie. "Principal stays basic; HISD to rule today
on 1st charter plan." The Houston Chronicle. (Jan. 5, '95)
p. 23A.
Martinez, Valerie. "Who chooses and why: a look at five
school choice plans." Phi Delta Kappan. v. 75 (May '94) p.
678-81. Provides general evidence that will support
arguments of both supporters and critics of choice. Includes
San Antonio Independent School District as a model.
Ratliff, Bill. "Overview of the Texas education code as
proposed by Senate Bill 1." "Education for Tomorrow." The
Public Schools Reform Act of 1995. Senate Bill 1 by Senator
Bill Ratliff.
Robinson, Clay. "The 74th Legislature; Panel rejects plan
for school vouchers." The Houston Chronicle. (Mar. 31, '95)
p. 25A.
ucation code in Texas." The Houston Chronicle. (Feb. 10,
'95) p. 1A.
Walt, Kathy. "Battles brew over education." The Houston
Chronicle. (Feb. 22, '95) p. 13A.
Walt, Kathy. "School reform bill calls for voucher plan;
Massive revision is pushed for ed
Walt, Kathy. "Senate panel OKs plans for charter schools".
The Houston Chronicle, 3/2/95, p.1. The State Education
committee left intact virtually all of the recommendations of
the state in okaying plans for charter schools. There has
been concern that charter schools will resegregate Texas.
Walt, Kathy. "The 74th Legislature". The Houston Chronicle,
3/28/95, p. 1. Education bill approved by Texas Senate. The
senate passes voucher plan for education, and private schools
in program could receive public money. Charter schools also
passed, giving districts varying degrees of freedom from
state control.
Walt, Kathy. "School revolution at hand?; Senate bill would
affect nearly all facets of Texas education." The Houston
Chronicle. (Feb. 15, '95) p. 1A.
Vermont
Kinsel, Bob. Educational Reform on Switchboard on National
Public Radio, April 12, 1995. This radio interview with Jeb
Spaulding, the chair of the Vermont Senate Education
Committee, and Rick Mills, the Vermont Education
Commissioner, contains a discussion on the proposed charter
school legislation in Vermont. They focus on current
financial problems and show how the pending legislation could
resolve these issues. They mention the possibility of
parental choice under the charter school legislation, as
well. The current proposed legislation would allow the
formation of 10 charter schools in the state.
Virginia
Daily Press. "Educators Take On Allen." January 13, 1995.
House Bill 2535 Committee on Education. Virginia
Legislature. January 23, 1995.
Oliver, Kathryn and others. "Key Elements of Selected
Educational Choice Programs: A Telephone Survey Summary.
Final Report." Northwest Regional Educational Lab., Portland,
OR. 1991. Key elements of selected educational choice
programsin 11 states are summarized in this report.
Information is provided on the type and level of program,
number and age of students served, program costs and revenue
sources, statting, evaluation methods, and length of time in
existence.
Roanoke Times & World News. "Charter Schools Deserve A
Chance." January20, 1995.
Roanoke Times & World News. "Why Charter Schoosl Are
Needed." January 16, 1995.
Roanoke Times & World News. "Don't Sacrifice Local Board's
Control For Charter School." February 4, 1995.
Roanoke Times & World News. "Charter School bill Get
Suspended For 1 Year." February 3, 1995.
The Virginia Pilot and The Ledger Star. "Replacing the Rules
With Innovation." January 5, 1995.
School Coice in Virginia and the Nation. A new Vision for
Education. Virginia State Dept. of Education, Richmond, Va.
1991. This report completes phase 1 of a study of the school
choice issue, by summarizing information regarding school
choice options currnetly proposed or implemented in Virgina
and other states.
Washington
House Bill 1147. State of Washington, 54th Legislature, 1995
Regular Session. Representatives Quall, B. Thomas, et al.
House Approves Pilot Plan to Create Innovative Schools
News Tribune [Olympia, Washington]: March 12, 1995 (Sunday)
Discussion on approved HB 1147 and what charter schools will
bring to public education in the state of Washington.
News Tribune. "House Approves Pilot Plan to Create
Innovative Schools." March 12, 1995. Pg. B6.
News Tribune. "Legislature '94: Charter Schools Would Break
'Monopoly,' Backers Say." February 1, 1994. Pg. B3.
The Seattle Times. "Charter Schools May be Answer to
Parents' Concerns." October 12, 1993. Pg. E10.
State of Washington: House Bill 1147
Establishes Charter School conditions and requirements.
Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction: Northwest Network by State INTERNET addresses:
Covering Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, United
States Department of Education-Region 10, and Northwest
Regional Education Laboratory
Wisconsin
Contacts:
Dick Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Beaver Dam, (414) 885-7300
Dr. Offie Hobbs, Principal of Madison Middle School 2000,
(608) 267-1144
Barbara Lake, Team Teacher at Stevens Point, (715) 345-5400
Howie, Steve. "Charter Schools Aimed At Public School
Failures." Capital Times Feb. 11 '94. Gives basic overview
of charter schools.
Howie, Steve. "Charter School Law Change Delayed." Capital
Times, Feb. 23 '94. Explains an extra addition to the
Wisconsin charter school law to make starting a charter
school a referendum issue. The article gives some overview
of the Wisconsin law.
Howie, Steve. "DPI Changes Attitude on Charter Idea."
Capital Times, May 9 '94. Describes how Wisconsin's
Department of Public Instruction has come to accept the
charter school law after its passage. It explores how one
agency can make or break charter schools in a state.