Related Publications
Nov 2012This report examines the distribution of students with special needs in New York State charter and district-run schools. The analysis shows that different levels of comparison yield different results. The authors recommend investments in research to identify where and why underenrollment of students with special needs exists, and working with the charter community to develop innovative solutions.
Jan 2012In this chapter Robin Lake and Betheny Gross argue that charter schools have a mixed track record on ensuring that students with special needs have effective options, but the reasons are complex, and the solutions are not obvious.
Jan 2012The 6th annual edition of Hopes, Fears, & Reality provides a clear roadmap for school districts and charter schools interested in working together to improve education options. The report explains the risks and technical challenges behind charter-district collaboration and provides powerful examples of how they can be overcome.
Feb 2011This report focuses on the evidence to date on how students with special needs fair under choice, the typical challenges and tensions that emerge for special populations under district choice systems, the types of strategies districts are employing to make school choice work for unique students, and promising new ideas that have yet to be tried.
May 2010This book offers a pioneering look at the role of charter schools in meeting the needs of special education students.
May 2010This short policy guide to the book, Unique Schools Serving Unique Students: Charter Schools and Children with Special Needs, summarizes the findings from case studies and parent surveys. The brief identifies policy, research, and investment opportunities needed to confront the challenges charter schools and parents of special needs students face.
Dec 2008Due to the special vulnerability of their children and the due process rights built into special education statutes, parents of special-needs children are extreme choosers.
Dec 2008This overview of Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charters Schools in 2008 introduces the key areas explored in this year's volume and notes that charter schools are more different than alike, not only in terms of the populations they serve, the academic missions they pursue, and the results they produce, but also in their response to local need and capacity.
Dec 2008This year's edition explores how charter school achievement varies across the sector, how the educational strategies used by charters differ from those used in traditional public schools, how charters are providing unique opportunities to diverse student populations, and how growth efforts should be responsive to constituent demands.
Jul 2008This report presents findings from exploratory case studies of six charter schools identified due to their reported success educating children with disabilities.
Mar 2008This report addresses choices made at the intersection of two very important trends in education: special education and charter schools.
Feb 2008This report explores the various difficulties charter schools face related to educating children with disabilities and examines potential opportunities to address those.
