RD123 - Public Charter Schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia


Executive Summary:
The external evaluation of the public charter schools of Virginia examines the seven public charter schools in operation in the state during the 2003-2004 school year. Research Dimensions, Inc., conducted the evaluation for the Virginia Department of Education. All seven schools are designed to provide alternative and experiential learning opportunities for students who are at-risk. However, differences among these schools include: the histories of the schools, characteristics of the communities served, characteristics of the students enrolled, size of the student bodies, grade levels served, resources available, and educational approaches and priorities.

Key Observations and Findings

• Schools. The enrollment for all seven charter schools was 745 students as of June 2004. The majority of these students, over 90 percent, were in grades 9 through 12. No new charter schools were approved during the 2003-2004 school year. During this timeframe, three new charter school applications were denied. Two of the seven schools included in this report have ceased operating in 2004-2005.

• Staff. The schools reported a total of approximately 100 staff members including principals, teachers, paraprofessionals, and guidance counselors. The average student-to-teacher ratio was ten students for every one teacher. All principals and close to 90 percent of all teacher positions were filled by licensed and endorsed individuals.

• Charter Compliance. A review of the evidence provided supported the charter schools' belief that they are all in compliance with the provisions of their charters. All applicant school divisions reported a high level of support from both state and local officials in expediting the charter school process.

• Progress in Achieving Goals. Standards of Learning (SOL) test data provide results that suggest improved student academic performance. Charter school student dropout rates are higher than those in traditional schools. Additionally, reports suggest that while dropout rates are higher, the expected failure or dropout rates of these students in traditional schools may have been much higher prior to transitioning to charter schools. Some schools report high graduation and completion rates, and most report improved student academic performance.

• Student Performance. None of the schools report having conducted a comprehensive comparison of the performance of their students and the students in the traditional schools in their division. Similarly, none of the schools reported longitudinal analysis of year-to-year improvement on a student-by-student basis.

• Impact on the Community. Schools report programs to build students' sense of responsibility, character, planning, community, and other personal growth goals. The perceptions of the schools, community awards, other forms of recognition, and parental surveys suggest significant success in these efforts. Available information suggests that the small size, individualized instruction, and innovative approaches to education found in these schools have had a positive impact on the communities they serve.