Charter Schools Using a variety of research methods some reports have found that, in certain circumstances or for particular groups, charter schools demonstrate higher academic performance in comparison to traditional public schools. Others have found little or no difference between charter and traditional public school performance. A generalization of the studies that are being performed are of little use to the smaller urban school districts that must decide if charter schools will be beneficial to educational achievement. The purpose of this study is to observe the history of Charter school legislation in Virginia and the linkages between existing legislation and the lack of charter school growth. After 23 years of charter school …show more content…
The first charter school opened in 1992 in Minnesota. The charter school movement has seen phenomenal growth since its inception. Whether one sees charter schools in a negative or positive light, charter schools have been integrated into the national public school system. For many reasons they are here to stay and have become a major portion of school reform. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, 2013 has announced that the number of students attending public charter schools across the nation has surpassed two million. Over 500 new public charter schools opened their doors in the 2011-12 school year, with an estimated increase of 200,000 students. This year marks the largest single–year increase ever recorded in terms of the number of additional students attending charters. As of the 2011-12 school year there were 5,600 public charter schools enrolling what is estimated to be more than two million students nationwide. The numbers equate to a 13 percent growth in students in just one year, while more than 400,000 students remain on wait lists to attend the public school of their choice. This significant milestone demonstrates increased demand from families who want more high-quality educational options for their