Charter school effects as a multi-dimensional policy question spanning achievement, attainment, integration, and competition¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 3 claims (2 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 associational), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The report organizes its evaluation of charter schools around four outcome dimensions named in its title: "Effects on Achievement, Attainment, Integration, and Competition." This framing treats charter schooling as a policy intervention whose value cannot be judged by test scores alone; attainment outcomes such as graduation and college entry, school integration patterns, and effects on competition with traditional public schools are examined alongside achievement. The framework shapes how the report weighs its mixed evidence, giving weight to favorable attainment results even where test-score impacts are neutral.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Longitudinal student-level data sufficient to measure achievement and attainment outcomes over time

Constraints¶

• The framework's application in this report is limited to the eight study sites and their varied charter laws

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students in charter and conventional public schools

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Academic achievement
• Educational attainment
• School integration
• Market competition among schools

Claims¶

• Charter Schools Test Score Impacts Comparable To Traditional Public Schools [+M]
• Charter Schools Favorable Graduation And College Entry Results [+M]
• Much remains unknown about charter school performance, particularly at the elementary level [~W]

Related Theories¶

• Attainment-based evaluation of charter schools as a complement to achievement-test-based studies

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Ron Zimmer, Brian Gill, Kevin Booker, Stephane Lavertu, Tim Sass, John Witte. (2009). Charter Schools in Eight States: Effects on Achievement, Attainment, Integration, and Competition. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/charter-schools-in-eight-states-effects-on-achievement-attainment-integration-and-competition