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A FURTHER EXAMINATION OF CHARTER SCHOOL REPORT
Flawed study
January 18, 2009
THE STUDY on the performance of charter and pilot schools is flawed ("Charter schools grade highest," Page A1, Jan. 6). While sophisticated in methodology, the lottery study's conclusions are based on 26 percent of the charter sample (zero of five elementary, four of 13 middle schools, three of nine high schools), which are schools with waiting lists. Of course, highly chosen schools are high performers. Charters without waiting lists, including two that have been closed and one recommended for closure, were left out of the study. A skewed charter report read as if the positive lottery results reflected all charters. The report was misleading, and then it was used to call for more charters.
The study did reinforce existing data: As reforms are considered, we need to be vigilant about expectations for high performance from every school. While pilot high schools and elementary schools are doing quite well, several pilot schools in the middle grades are struggling.
We should applaud and learn from those pilots and charters that are doing well, and press for greater accountability for high performance from those schools that are not.
Linda Nathan
Boston
The writer is co-headmaster of Boston Arts Academy, a pilot school.
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