SCHOOLS

Operating Schools

566

According to a recent survey, 42 percent of Arizona's charter schools serve an at-risk student population.

Total Enrollment

132,229

Resource

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

LAW

Grade

B

Rank

5th out of 40 laws

Resource

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

EQUITY

Funding

Persistent funding inequities have resulted in various lawsuits. Arizona's charter schools receive, on average, $5,959 per pupil, compared to the $9,946 that conventional district public schools receive.

Resource

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

ACHIEVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Test Scores

Arizona charter school students tend to start academically behind their peers in district schools but make faster overall gains on test scores. Charter success is especially noteworthy among Hispanic students.

In 2007 charter school students in grades three through seven outperformed their peers by up to five percentage points in both math and reading.

Closures

Charter school closures are evidence of accountability in action. As of February 2009, 96 Arizona charters (about 16%) have been closed, most of them within the first 10 years of the state's movement. Only two percent of Arizona's charter schools have been closed for academic deficiencies; the majority were closed because of financial difficulties.

Resource

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