How Are School Districts Responding to Charter Laws and Charter Schools?

This report examines how school districts have responded to charter school laws and the establishment of charter schools, based on a 1997 study conducted six years into the nation’s charter school movement. Focusing on eight states and the District of Columbia, the study includes case studies from 25 school districts significantly affected by charter schools.

The research aimed to determine how charter schools influence school district operations, whether districts adapt or resist these changes, and whether charter laws are prompting systemic reform within traditional public education. The findings highlight various district responses, from collaboration and accommodation to resistance and restriction, often shaped by local policy environments, political factors, and community attitudes. Additionally, the report explores how districts’ financial practices, governance, accountability measures, and educational programs are impacted by charter school competition.

By offering detailed insights into these dynamics, the report provides valuable information about how school districts are navigating the evolving landscape of public education shaped by charter school legislation and competition.