Multi-grade charter high school model as a promising configuration for long-term attainment¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 4 claims (3 for, 1 against) · 2 studies (2 causal), q2–q3 · 0 of 2 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The report highlights multi-grade charter high schools — those that "include grades 6-12, 7-12, or K-12" — as a school configuration associated in Chicago with substantial positive effects on ACT scores, graduation, and college entry. The report treats this configuration as the basis of its headline findings and suggests "promise for multi-grade charter high schools (and perhaps charter high schools more generally)". The supplied text describes the configuration and its reported outcomes but not its internal instructional mechanisms.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Operates as a multi-grade charter high school including grade spans such as grades 6-12, 7-12, or K-12

Constraints¶

• The reported positive effects are specific to Chicago's multi-grade charter high schools; extension to charter high schools more generally is offered only as a hedged suggestion

Target Learners¶

• Students in grades 6-12 charter high schools in Chicago

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Improved ACT scores
• High-school graduation
• College entry

Claims¶

• Chicago Multigrade Charter High Schools Act Gains [+W]
• Chicago Multigrade Charter High Schools Graduation Gains [+W]
• Chicago Multigrade Charter High Schools College Entry Gains [+W]
• Charter sector improvement stems mainly from existing schools improving, and gains appear at elementary, middle, and high school levels but not multi-level schools [-W]

Related Theories¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Kevin Booker, Brian Gill, Ron Zimmer, Tim R. Sass. (2008). Achievement and Attainment in Chicago Charter Schools. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/achievement-and-attainment-in-chicago-charter-schools