Turnaround and Closure Rates in the Charter and District Sectors

Abstract

This article examines the turnaround and closure rates of charter and district schools in 10 states to determine if one school sector has done comparatively better than the other at addressing chronically low-performing schools. Low-performing charter and district schools were identified in 2003–04 based on their reading and math proficiency rates and adequate yearly progress status. These low-performing schools were tracked through 2008–09 to determine how many made dramatic turnarounds and how many were shut down. The data show that only 26 (1.3%) of the 2,025 schools that were low-performing in 2003–04 made performance gains that were large enough to qualify as fully successful turnarounds. Low-performing charter schools were no more likely to turn around than their district counterparts, although they were twice as likely to be closed down. These findings quantify the complexity of the turnaround challenge. If charter schools are unable to succeed at turnarounds, despite greater operational autonomy and greater accountability pressure, it may suggest less optimism for success in the traditional public school sector.