I am currently working on a masters degree in political science and putting together a research proposal for a semester project. We need to objectively study a political phenomenon and determine the definitions and variables for our study. I am researching the circumstances in which charter schools outperform typical public schools. I am defining outperform for the purpose of this research as higher test scores and/or graduation rates since those are measurable. My question for moms with kids in both public and private and charter schools is, what variables should I look at? Currently I am looking at Title 1 numbers, special education students enrolled, class size, teacher education, advanced curriculum (above grade level) and school mission statement. Can you think of any other variables that might impact student success that are measurable. I have been so immersed in this I know I am missing some obvious ones! I am not coming from a pro or anti charter stance.
Thank you all for your suggestions. I deeply appreciate your ideas and insight. This is a tough topic to research because I have to go with what data already exists due to the time frame and different states keep different stats and privacy laws prevent access to some data. The hardest part is choosing what is measurable. I think this is a fascinating topic as a public school teacher and I am so interested in the different regulations and parameters for charters. I am most curious about how regulations impact education and since both charters and neighborhood schools are publicly funded this is important research to do!
What level (s)??
Elementary?
Jr. High?
High School?
If HS, then look at ACT / PSAT / SAT scores.
Student Clubs: types, number, active members.
Add to teacher education, years in teaching.
Sports, both competitive and recreational, have a huge impact on student involvement and ultimate success.
Since you mention graduation rates, you should be able to access college acceptance stats. Not all grads go to university.
GL!
I don't know how all this fits into your question but what seems to be a big variable is simply skin in the game or parental involvement. You send your kids to private schools that is your dime, you pay taxes and then you also pay tuition. You are not going to allow your child to fail, nearly all other parents of kids in that school feel the same. My son's high school has a 99% college rate, my daughter's high school 100% and can even boast 100% achieve at least a bachelors.
Charter schools are different in that a parent has to work to get their kids in and that work means they are going to make sure their kids do well.
My younger two are in public and it is much harder to prod them because the kids are not like minded nor are parents. Sure there are some that are like me but in smaller numbers, it makes it harder even though we live in a good district. I actually have no idea what the graduation rates or college entrance rates our for their high school. I just know, same parenting, same structure, much harder to keep my kids on the straight and narrow in the public schools.
I wish you could talk to my older daughter, she works for Teach for America. She can explain this stuff in her sleep
parent education level
% english language learners
% eligible for free/reduced lunch
% participants in gifted program
Of course charter schools and private schools tend to outperform standard public schools, because parents who send their children to charter and private schools have a vested interest in their child's education whereas not all parents of standard public schools do.
Parental involvement is the absolute, without a doubt, most contributing factor in how successful kids are in school. Find out the various ways, beyond making sure their children go to school and complete their homework, that the parents are involved at the schools - assisting in the classroom, PTA/PTO, family nights, Saturday events, fundraising, etc.
Are you ignoring social class and ethnicity? You really can't when you talk schooling.
I agree with Julie S's suggestion of parental involvement. Our son's school has a strong parent volunteer base. This is in part due to our neighborhood's economic situation and the parents who prioritize their child's academics and who understand the importance of education. This, in turn, influences the expectations of admin as they choose teachers and make decisions which require prioritizing things parents are vocal in valuing.
My son goes to a public school; tonight, I attended a PTA meeting. This is where a lot of important decisions are made, whether families realize this or not. Our PTA raises funds to excess of the district budget for our school (as well as 30% of it going into the 'pot' for school equity across the district) and yes, this has profound influence on resources available for struggling students (educational assistants) as well as access to 'extras' such as music, library, art, PE, and access to technology tools. HUGE difference.
Personally, I've always felt the number one measurable factor as to whether any given group of students is/is not successful (by the standards you mention) at any given kind of school whatsoever, is parenting/home life of said students.
:)
Socioeconomic factors, single parents, working parents...
I would look at extra curricular added. Do they offer clubs and sports at charter schools and not at public, or vice versa?
Technology - I know when our local one opened they were not able to provide technology for a while, but it was a brand new school with limited funding.
I believe a lot of it has to do with the education level, personal financial success and parental involvement in the schools.
My daughter graduated in 2013 from HS. Her HS is public in one of the highest rated districts in the US and consistently in the top 50 HS's in the country.
The schools in this district starting with elementary all have heavy parental involvement and strive to be the best of the best. Our daughter's elementary school is Blue Ribbon Exemplary and more. It is one reason we built homes here vs anywhere else. Before we had our daughter, we planned for the school district as well.
I know there are a lot of charter and private schools and that is a personal choice. I might have chosen that route if we were in a bad school district but we pay a lot of taxes for our school and I am proud to have highly rated schools here. I like the public schools so children can be diverse, not coddled and be challenged to be the best.
From experience, my daughter is in her 2nd year of college and to this day, in math, the students from our district that go to her college are teaching the incoming students in some math classes because so many of the students who did not attend our district do not know the material being taught in college because they were never exposed to it in high school.
Great thoughts below. I would also look at the availability of fine art, music, language, and physical education courses and frequency.
One thing to remember is that public schools have to take every child that enrolls. With other options they can pick and choose who they want to take (at least to some degree). You also have to remember that if a child with special education needs attends a private school that doesn't provide services, the closest public school is required to provide those services. Non-public schools are also exempt from some testing and other state and federal mandates.
Parent involvement and amount of parent education is also key. I can usually tell without asking which of my students have involved parents.
Number of English as second language students and if they were born in the US or if they immigrated. Also if they and their parents are literate in their native language.
You mentioned teacher education...but what about number of years at the school...charters have alot of turn over. And I'm guessing no teacher union to protect them..
Also did u mention student attendance. Like tuancy?.. they can't learn if thety aren't there.
Updated
You mentioned teacher education...but what about number of years at the school...charters have alot of turn over. And I'm guessing no teacher union to protect them..
Also did u mention student attendance. Like tuancy?.. they can't learn if thety aren't there.
Updated
You mentioned teacher education...but what about number of years at the school...charters have alot of turn over. And I'm guessing no teacher union to protect them..
Also did u mention student attendance. Like tuancy?.. they can't learn if thety aren't there.
Updated
You mentioned teacher education...but what about number of years at the school...charters have alot of turn over. And I'm guessing no teacher union to protect them..
Also did u mention student attendance. Like tuancy?.. they can't learn if thety aren't there.
Not sure if its too late but
Demographic of the children / ethnicity
My children attended a charter school in elementary that was pre dominantly children with first generation immigrant Chinese and Indian kids. The score were crazy so was the competition.
Specials offered robotic, chess etc vs just music art
