Each state has different laws regarding charter schools, both with respect to funding and academic criteria.
Speaking in generalities about charter schools is just like speaking about traditional schools.
There are wide differences in goals and student populations.
Some are sponsored by Universities, with a goal of teaching research.
Some are "magnet schools" that deal only with the "talented and gifted" students.
Some are "high risk" schools that deal with "difficult" [my word] student populations.
Some are "religious" schools that are sponsored by churches and such organizations,
which qualify for state funding via 3rd-party non-profit entities, some with heavy overlap
And some are of the nature being desired by Clodfobble, dealing with children with (medically) special needs.
The following are a few bits of information from the
2010 Comprehensive Annual Report on Texas Public Schools,
a Report to the 82nd Legislature from the Texas Education Agency.
Historically in Texas...essential 1/3 of all charters awarded have subsequently been removed
Quote:
Total [Charters] Awarded 297
Removed (Converted, Revoked, Rescinded, Renewal Denied, Returned, Expired, Merged, Abandoned) -94 (31.7%)
Active Status 203
Awarded but not Operational -10
Operational Status 193 (64%)
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TEA = Texas Education Agency
AEA = The state accountability system is an integrated system of standard and alternative education accountability procedures.
TAKS = Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.
From the EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Quote:
<snip>
Between 2009 and 2010, overall passing rates for standard and AEA charter school students taking
the English-version TAKS increased in every subject area.
Nevertheless, passing rates for AEA charters were lower
than those for standard charters and traditional school districts in all subject areas.
In 2010, the average passing rate for all tests taken was 44 percent for AEA charters,
78 percent for standard charters, and 77 percent for traditional school districts.
Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students in standard charters
had passing rates in all subjects that were higher than the rates for Hispanic
and economically disadvantaged students in traditional school districts.
The same was true of passing rates for African American students.
In 2010, a total of 139 charter districts were rated under the standard accountability procedures,
and 68 were rated under AEA procedures (Table 7.1 on page 99).
Fifty charter districts were Exemplary,
40 were Recognized,
84 were Academically Acceptable, and
23 were Academically Unacceptable.
Ten charter districts were Not Rated: Other because they had insufficient TAKS results
in the accountability subset to assign one of the other rating labels.
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From the above, I don't feel it is realistic to say that charter schools do not select their students.
Likewise, the is very little support for the idea that charter schools are academically
better than tradition schools.
Maturity of a school does not change the above data
Charter and Public schools receive state funds based on daily student attendance,
but public also receive funding for buildings/maintenance,student transportation and student health requirements
Charter schools (on average) pay $8,000 staff more than public schools,
yet there is a much higher turnover of teachers among the charters.
BUT, charter schools do better fit the desires of some parents and students,
and the charter school movement is definitely growing in the US.