Failed Promises

Abstract

Analysis of current and historical data for all charter schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area shows that charter schools have failed to deliver on the promises made by charter school proponents. Charter schools in the Twin Cities are far more segregated than traditional public schools, even in school districts where traditional public schools are already racially segregated. The data also show that, after almost two decades of experience, most charter schools still perform worse than comparable traditional public schools. The findings make it clear that most charter schools offer a poor choice to low—income students and students of color—one between low—performing public schools and charters that do even worse. Compared to charter schools, other public school choice programs in the region offer better options to low—income students and students of color. The means that regional charter schools use to compete with their traditional counterparts have also hurt public education by encouraging racial segregation in the traditional public school system.