SCHOOLS

Operating Schools

27

Several of Alaska's charter schools have curricula that focus on native culture.

Total Enrollment

5,489

Resource

The National Charter School Directory offers complete listings, including school address, program description, and website.

LAW

Grade

D

Rank

34th out of 40 laws

Resource

CER's 2010 point-by-point profile of Alaska's charter law looks at approval process, operations, funding, and teacher and student provisions.

EQUITY

Funding

Under Alaska's law, fiscal equity is a subjective decision made by school boards. Alaska's charter schools receive $5,800 per pupil, compared to the $21,671 that conventional district public schools receive.

Resource

More information on equity issues at Charter School Funding: Following the Money.

ACHIEVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Test Scores

In reading, 86 percent of charter school students in grade seven demonstrated proficient or advanced reading while only 81 percent of those at conventional public schools did so.

In math, at least 73 percent of charter seventh graders demonstrated proficiency in math while only 68 percent did so in conventional public schools.

Students attending charter schools in grades six, seven, and eight all outperformed their conventional school peers in math by at least three percentage points.

Closures

Charter school closures are evidence of accountability in action. As of February, 2009, five Alaska charters have been closed, two for financial difficulties, one for management troubles, and two because of district unwillingness to work with these innovative schools.

Resource

Accountability Report 2009: Charter Schools: In-depth information about charter achievement and accountability, including state-by-state analyses and closure listings.