ESSA │Charter Schools and School Choice
While state policy shapes the school choice landscape within individual states, there is a long history of federal support for choice options at the state and local levels. The Every Student Succeeds Act continues this support. Specifically, ESSA updates and expands the federal Charter Schools Program and the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program. As competitive grant competitions first authorized in 1994 and 1984 respectively, these programs provide funding to support the creation and continuation of high quality magnet and charter schools. In addition to these programs, ESSA provides increased flexibility, especially regarding the use of federal funding. This increased flexibility positions states, districts, and key stakeholders with an historic opportunity to develop, revise, and/or refine school choice efforts and activities.
AIR has a history, reputation, and track record for supporting states, districts, and stakeholders with school choice efforts and activities. Additionally, our team of technical assistance providers draws on the expertise of our many national centers and internationally-renowned experts—in education, as well as in related fields like health and the workforce.
Key Resources
- Teacher Value-added in Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools
- Identifying South Carolina Charter Schools that are “Beating the Odds”
- Leadership Characteristics and Practices in South Carolina Charter Schools
- Study of Funding Provided to Public Schools and Public Charter Schools in Maryland
- A New Approach to School Turnaround: Charter Operators Managing District Schools
AIR Centers with Related Content
AIR operates a number of national, regional, and state centers that produce publicly available resources. The centers that have a specific focus on charter schools and school choice are as follows:
