ABSTRACT
Th e introduction of charter schools into the public school system was designed to improve the educational options for parents and their children. Charter schools are publicly-funded schools that enjoy greater fl exibility from rules and regulations that govern the educational eff orts of traditional public schools. To the extent that regulations hamstring schools’ ability to serve students well, charter schools may improve upon the traditional public school model. Th ey may also serve as experimentation schools with the intent of replicating successful, innovative educational practices. Additionally, by representing a public school option that parents can select in lieu of their zoned neighborhood school, charter schools may foster competition with traditional public schools for students and the associated dollars per student-and thus improve instruction and outcomes. Within such a system, there is increased accountability for charter schools by which a school, based on student achievement outcomes or otherwise, can be closed for low performance.
