Charter schools: A viable public school choice option?

The charter school movement gained considerable momentum during the early 1990s in the United States. This paper provides an overview of the charter school phenomenon and begins with a consideration of the basic design of these schools. The government's role in education is discussed and various school choice options are identified. The paper then focuses on the degree of overall autonomy granted to charter schools by examining the basic features of various state legislative provisions that permit charter schools. The limited empirical work available is reviewed to present a clearer picture of charter schools with regard to school autonomy and innovation, teacher and student characteristics, and parental contracts and involvement. Several concerns are presented about charter schools relating to autonomy and regulation, market accountability, and at-risk students. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd