SCHOOLS

Operating Schools

34

Arkansas charters enroll a greater percentage of minority students and economically disadvantaged students and are achieving at levels comparable to their district counterparts. Nevertheless, a two-tier approval system has made growth difficult in state.

Total Enrollment

7,812

Resource

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

LAW

Grade

D

Rank

31st out of 40 laws

Resource

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

EQUITY

Funding

Arkansas charter schools receive, on average, $8,552 per pupil.

Resource

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

ACHIEVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Test Scores

In grades three through eight, 67.6 percent of charter school students scored proficient or advanced in literacy, whereas only 59.2 percent of students attending conventional public school did so.

Closures

As of February, 2009, 6 Arkansas charters have been closed, and each closure is traceable to the conditions presented by Arkansas' weak law, including underfunding and local district hostilities.

Resource

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