SCHOOLS

Operating Schools

860

California's charter schools tend to serve more low-socioeconomic students (SES) than conventional public schools. In schools where at least 70 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch, 12 of the top 15 public schools in the state are charters.

Total Enrollment

299,742

Resource

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

LAW

Grade

A; California has the most charter schools in the nation because of consistent improvements to its law

Rank

3rd out of 40 laws

Resource

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

EQUITY

Funding

California's charter schools law provides for highly equitable funding measures. Charters are funded at $5,075 per pupil, compared to the $10,297 that conventional district public schools receive.

Resource

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

ACHIEVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Test Scores

Students at California's charter schools outpace their peers at conventional schools, especially in the middle school years. Statewide, the median API score for charter middle schools was 767 compared with 726 in conventional middle schools.

California charters are also demonstrating their ability to close the achievement gap between white and minority students. In elementary charter schools, African American students consistently outperformed their peers who attend conventional public schools.

Closures

Charter school closures are evidence of accountability in action. Of the 972 charter schools approved to operate in The Golden State, 11 percent (103 schools) have been closed as of February, 2009, for failing to meet the basic expectations of their contract. The majority were closed as a result of financial difficulties. Only three were closed for poor academic performance.

Resource

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