1. The Charter School Movement 2009: A State of Opportunity

2. There are compelling reasons to believe that with refined attention to quality, growth, and sustainability, the sector is poised for a key inflection point in both magnitude and impact 2 1991 First charter law 1994 Federal CSP passed 1997 Federal CSP expanded five-fold 2002 Federal Credit Enhance ment for Charter Facilities program Key positive forces today: Demonstrated support by Obama Administration State response to RTTT incentives Innovations like RenTen and LAUSD Choice Demand, as evidenced by waiting lists Broader public acceptance of charters Key negative forces today: Organized resistance from unions State and federal budget crises impairing new funding Limited talent pool to support highest quality growth

3. What must the sector do to take advantage of this opportunity? Improve the quality of public charter schools as defined by student achievement and operational excellence Ensure that federal policy supports chartering as a core element of reform Improve state laws in order to reduce state-level constraints on chartering Create a strong and sustainable infrastructure of support for growth of high-quality public charter schools, including diversity in movement leadership Improve public perception of charter schools 3

4. 1991: First Charter Law 2009: 4,920 Schools 4

5. Charter market share, by student population <4% of public school students nationally 9% of students in AZ – largest state share Top three cities by percentage: –New Orleans: 57% –DC: 36% –Detroit: 32% 59,000: Highest number in single city (LA) 14 communities with at least 20% of public school students in charters; 74 with at least 10% 5

6. New Orleans, LA 57% Washington DC 36% Detroit, MI 32% Kansas City MO29% Dayton, OH 27% Youngstown OH 26% St. Louis, MO25% Flint, MI24% Gary, IN23% Phoenix Union, AZ22% Minneapolis, MN22% Toledo, OH21% Cleveland, OH21% San Antonio, TX21% 14 communities with 20% market share or greater 6

7. Charters serve more minorities (66%) than other public schools (44%), with variation by state. 7 Public charter schoolsNon-charter schools

8. Charters serve more low-income students (48%) than other public schools (45%), also with variation by state. 8 Public charter schoolsNon-charter schools

9. Freestanding charters account for 77.5% of schools EMOs and CMOs account for the remaining 22.5% 9 Public charter school operators

10. Diversity and Sustainability A work in progress: developing movement leadership that looks more like the kids we serve. Here are shares of charter institutions currently led by persons of color: Charter Schools: 31% of principals (21% Black) vs. 16% in district public schools Charter Management Orgs: 10 of 44 State Associations : 5 of 43 Top 50 Authorizers: 5 Funders: N/A 10

11. Are Charter Students Achieving? CREDO: 17% of charters exceed district schools; 37% lag; 46% do about as well. 61% of charters make AYP vs. 63% of other public schools. Charters exceed district schools in 17 of 34 states (2008). Hoxby: NYC charters close “Scarsdale-Harlem” gap Boston Foundation: Charters exceed both BPS and “pilot schools” RAND: Charter students in Chicago and Florida more likely to graduate and attend college than district peers 11

12. Quality Criteria Tightening In 2008: –491 new charters opened –142 closed (non-renewal, revocation, or voluntary closure) Among Top 50 Authorizers –68% approval rate before 2003 –34% approval rate between 2005-2008 12

13. The Obama Effect Charters have enjoyed bipartisan support at federal level since 1994 – but this is new! Obama/Duncan “get it” and have unprecedented resources. So….. –Doubling of federal funding promised by FY2012 –Charters have central role in Race to the Top, including “turnaround” provisions –Charter-savvy personnel (DOE, Treasury, White House) –Speeches, news ops, events –And in the States…. 8 States have enacted pro-charter changes (some after direct intervention by EdSec) New charter law activity in at least 6 states Obama provides cover for Dem legislators to support charters – 13

14. Key Tests Ahead Federal –Appropriations: Will Congress Go Along? –ESEA Reauthorization: Will Charter Autonomy Survive? –ALL STAR Act: How Fast Can We Replicate Quality? State –Caps: Will States Deal for RTTT Dollars? –Authorizers: Are They Accountable? –Funding Equity: Can States Close Gaps? –Facilities: Will Charters be Treated As Public Schools? –Collective Bargaining: How Will Charters Respond to New Organizing Efforts? 14

15. 15 National Alliance for Public Charter Schools www.publiccharters.org