Charter Schools

by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

Charter school growth has been rapid. Since the first charter in 1991, there are more than 5,000 charters nationally. In Pennsylvania, 60,000 students attend 144 charters with 67 in Philadelphia, although there may be more shortly as the Renaissance program develop. Some schools have been closed citing financial practices and currently there is a federal investigation of 18 Philadelphia charter schools.

Charters are public schools with fewer rules and regulations. Because they are smaller and parents are welcome, families feel that they are safer and provide a better environment for learning. In approximately half of Philadelphia's charters, 90% or more of the students are African-American.

Like traditional schools, performance varies. Some Philadelphia charters like Mastery, KIPP and Young Scholars have shown increased achievement. Studies on nationwide results are best found on the website of the Rand Corporation.

For more information, contact the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition and visit the School District website. The summer 2010 issue of the Philadelphia Public School Notebook, from which most of this material was developed, provides several excellent articles.