Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 ARIZONA CHARTER SCHOOLS in 2005 This brief on Arizona charter schools highlights information from a survey published in the National Charter School Research Project’s new report: Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005 . Between January and June 2005, the National Charter School Research Project surveyed state charter school offices on a number of indicators pertaining to the characteristics of charter schools and the students they serve. How Arizona charter schools are unique:

• Arizona is the state with the greatest percentage of schools operating as charter schools—28%. Nationwide, about 3% of public schools are charter schools.

• Only D.C. has a greater percentage of public school students enrolled in charter schools. In both Arizona and Delaware, 6% of students attend charters. Nationwide, about 2% of public school students are enrolled in charter schools.

• Arizona is one of six states where charters serve at least 10% more low-income students than districts that host charter schools. On average, Arizona charter schools serve 22% more students who qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• Arizona charter schools are less than 1/3 the size of traditional public schools. Arizona charter schools average 173 students per school, while Arizona public schools overall average 602 students.

Total enrol lment: In 1994 charter schools became part of the Arizona education landscape. By the 2004-2005 school year there were 499 schools operating, enrolling 86,409 students.i That number represents approximately 28% of all Arizona public schools and 6% of all students enrolled in Arizona public schools.

Minori ty enrollment: Of Arizona charter school students, 47% are minorities, compared to 43% minority enrollment in school districts where Arizona charter schools are located.ii

Low-income enrollment: Of Arizona charter school students, 66% qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program, compared to 44% of students in school districts where Arizona charter schools are located.

Arizona (2004-05) Charter Schools As a Percentage of All Arizona Public Schools

Number of Schools 499 28%

Number of Students 86,409 6%

Missing data: The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools did not report the following charter school data points:

• English language learner enrollment • Start-up vs. conversion schools • Schools with a waitlist • Parent satisfaction ratings • Average class size

Also, only 132 of the state's charter schools reported their free & reduced-price lunch enrollment. For more information about Arizona charter schools: Kristen Jordison Executive Director Arizona State Board for Charter Schools 1700 W. Washington, Room 164 Phoenix, AZ 85007 602-364-3080 For the full report: The information in this brief is from a survey published in Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005. The full report is available at www.crpe.org/ncsrp. About NCSRP: The University of Washington’s National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. Its goals are to 1) facilitate the fair assessment of the value-added effects of U.S. charter schools, and 2) provide the charter school and broader public education communities with research and information for ongoing improvement. For more information on NCSRP or its research please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp. To access additional NCSRP data on Arizona charter schools, or on D.C. and any of the 40 states with charter schools, please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp/database. Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 i The number of charter schools and students in any given state is a moving target. The number reported here is the number that was reported to NCSRP by the state charter school office. ii In order to control for how the location of a charter school might affect its enrollment, NCSRP compared charter school enrollment to the enrollment of districts in the same geographic location as charter schools. NCSRP believes that this method provides a more accurate picture than comparing overall state averages.

Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOLS in 2005 This brief on California charter schools highlights information from a survey published in the National Charter School Research Project’s new report: Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005 . Between January and June 2005, the National Charter School Research Project surveyed state charter school offices on a number of indicators pertaining to the characteristics of charter schools and the students they serve. How California charter schools are unique:

• California added more charter schools than any other state in 2004-05. The 77 new charters represent a 15% increase in the total number of California charter schools.

• California is one of seven states where charters serve at least 10% fewer minority students than districts that host charter schools. On average, California charter schools serve 11% fewer minority students than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• California charter schools are more likely to serve non-traditional grade combinations, with 19% serving grades K-8 and 24% serving grades K-12. Of other public schools in California, 1% serve these same grade combinations.

Total enrol lment: In 1992 charter schools became part of the California education landscape. By the 2004-2005 school year there were 510 schools operating, enrolling 180,000 students.i That number represents approximately 6% of all California public schools and 3% of all students enrolled in California public schools.

Minori ty enrollment: Of California charter school students, 60% are minorities, compared to 71% minority enrollment in school districts where California charter schools are located.ii

California (2004-05)

Charter Schools As a Percentage of All California Public Schools

Number of Schools 510 6%

Number of Students 180,000 3%

Missing data: The California Department of Education did not report the following charter school data points:

• Student enrollment in the federal free & reduced-price lunch program

• Special education enrollment • English language learner enrollment • Numbers of EMO-operated schools

• Schools with a waitlist • Parent satisfaction ratings • Average class size • School performance within the state's

accountability system For more information about California charter schools : Marta Reyes Director, Charter Schools Division California Department of Education 1430 N. Street, Room 5401 Sacramento, CA 95831 916-322-3024 For the full report: The information in this brief is from a survey published in Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005. The full report is available at www.crpe.org/ncsrp. About NCSRP: The University of Washington’s National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. Its goals are to 1) facilitate the fair assessment of the value-added effects of U.S. charter schools, and 2) provide the charter school and broader public education communities with research and information for ongoing improvement. For more information on NCSRP or its research please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp. To access additional NCSRP data on California charter schools, or on D.C. and any of the 40 states with charter schools, please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp/database. Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 i The number of charter schools and students in any given state is a moving target. The number reported here is the number that was reported to NCSRP by the state charter school office. ii In order to control for how the location of a charter school might affect its enrollment, NCSRP compared charter school enrollment to the enrollment of districts in the same geographic location as charter schools. NCSRP believes that this method provides a more accurate picture than comparing overall state averages.

Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 COLORADO CHARTER SCHOOLS in 2005 This brief on Colorado charter schools highlights information from a survey published in the National Charter School Research Project’s new report: Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005 . Between January and June 2005, the National Charter School Research Project surveyed state charter school offices on a number of indicators pertaining to the characteristics of charter schools and the students they serve.

How Colorado charter schools are unique:

• Only three states have a greater percentage of public school students enrolled in charter schools. In both Colorado and Michigan, 5% of students attend charters. Nationwide, about 2% of public school students are enrolled in charter schools.

• Colorado is one of six states where charters serve at least 10% fewer low-income students than districts that host charter schools. On average, Colorado charter schools serve 13% fewer students who qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• Colorado charter schools are more likely to serve non-traditional grade combinations, with 37% serving grades K-8 and 23% serving grades K-12. Less than 1% of other public schools in Colorado serve these same grade combinations.

Total enrol lment: In 1995 charter schools became part of the Colorado education landscape. By the 2004-2005 school year there were 107 schools operating, enrolling 36,658 students.i That number represents approximately 6% of all Colorado public schools and 5% of all students enrolled in Colorado public schools.

Minori ty enrollment: Of Colorado charter school students, 33% are minorities, compared to 37% minority enrollment in school districts where Colorado charter schools are located.ii

Low-income enrollment: Of Colorado charter school students, 18% qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program, compared to 31% of students in school districts where Colorado charter schools are located.

Colorado (2004-05) Charter Schools As a Percentage of All Colorado Public Schools

Number of Schools 107 6%

Number of Students 36,658 5%

Missing data: The Colorado Department of Education did not report the following charter school data points:

• English language learner enrollment • Parent satisfaction ratings • Average class size

For more information about Colorado charter schools : Denise Mund Senior Consultant, Colorado Charter Schools Colorado Department of Education 1560 Broadway, Suite 1450 Denver, CO 80202-5149 303-866-6740 For the full report: The information in this brief is from a survey published in Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005. The full report is available at www.crpe.org/ncsrp. About NCSRP: The University of Washington’s National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. Its goals are to 1) facilitate the fair assessment of the value-added effects of U.S. charter schools, and 2) provide the charter school and broader public education communities with research and information for ongoing improvement. For more information on NCSRP or its research please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp. To access additional NCSRP data on Colorado charter schools, or on D.C. and any of the 40 states with charter schools, please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp/database. Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 i The number of charter schools and students in any given state is a moving target. The number reported here is the number that was reported to NCSRP by the state charter school office. ii In order to control for how the location of a charter school might affect its enrollment, NCSRP compared charter school enrollment to the enrollment of districts in the same geographic location as charter schools. NCSRP believes that this method provides a more accurate picture than comparing overall state averages.

Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 D.C. CHARTER SCHOOLS in 2005 This brief on D.C. charter schools highlights information from a survey published in the National Charter School Research Project’s new report: Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005 . Between January and June 2005, the National Charter School Research Project surveyed state charter school offices on a number of indicators pertaining to the characteristics of charter schools and the students they serve. How D.C . charter schools are unique:

• Only one state, Arizona, has a greater percentage of schools operating as charter schools. Of D.C. public schools, 22% are charter schools. Nationwide, about 3% of public schools are charters.

• D.C. has the greatest percentage of students enrolled in charter schools. Nationwide, about 2% of public school students are enrolled in charter schools.

• Charter schools in D.C. and five other states serve at least 10% more low-income students than districts that host charter schools. On average, D.C. charter schools serve 14% more students who qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program than do traditional public schools in D.C.

• D.C. charter schools are larger on average than traditional public schools. D.C. charter schools average 419 students per school, while D.C. public schools overall average 390 students.

• D.C. charter schools are more likely to serve non-traditional grade combinations, with 18% serving grades K-8 and 14% serving grades K-12. Less than 1% of other public schools in D.C. serve these same grade combinations.

Total enrol lment: In 1996 charter schools became part of the D.C. education landscape. By the 2004-2005 school year there were 37 schools operating, enrolling 15,500 students.i That number represents approximately 22% of all D.C. public schools and 24% of all students enrolled in D.C. public schools.

Minori ty enrollment: Of D.C. charter school students, 97% are minorities, compared to 95% minority enrollment in other D.C. public schools.ii

D.C. (2004-05)

Charter Schools As a Percentage of All D.C. Public Schools

Number of Schools 37 22%

Number of Students 15,500 24%

Low-income enrollment: Of D.C. charter school students, 73% qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program, compared to 59% of students in other D.C. public schools. Missing data: The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board did not report the following charter school data points:

• Parent satisfaction ratings • School performance within the state's accountability system

The D.C. Board of Education did not report the following charter school data points:

• Parent satisfaction ratings • School performance within the

state's accountability system • Numbers of EMO-operated schools

• The number of years a charter was open

• Schools with a waitlist • Schools meeting AYP

For more information about D.C. charter schools: Josephine Baker Executive Director District of Columbia Public Charter School Board 1436 "U" Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20098 202-328-2660 For the full report: The information in this brief is from a survey published in Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005. The full report is available at www.crpe.org/ncsrp. About NCSRP: The University of Washington’s National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. Its goals are to 1) facilitate the fair assessment of the value-added effects of U.S. charter schools, and 2) provide the charter school and broader public education communities with research and information for ongoing improvement. For more information on NCSRP or its research please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp. To access additional NCSRP data on D.C. charter schools, or on any of the 40 states with charter schools, please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp/database. Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 i The number of charter schools and students in any given state is a moving target. The number reported here is the number that was reported to NCSRP by the state charter school office. ii In order to control for how the location of a charter school might affect its enrollment, NCSRP compared charter school enrollment to the enrollment of districts in the same geographic location as charter schools. NCSRP believes that this method provides a more accurate picture than comparing overall state averages.

Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 NEW YORK CHARTER SCHOOLS in 2005 This brief on New York charter schools highlights information from a survey published in the National Charter School Research Project’s new report: Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005 . Between January and June 2005, the National Charter School Research Project surveyed state charter school offices on a number of indicators pertaining to the characteristics of charter schools and the students they serve.

How New York charter schools are unique:

• New York is one of six states where charters serve at least 10% more low-income students than districts that host charter schools. On average, New York charter schools serve 11% more students who qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• New York is one of five states where charters serve at least 5% fewer special education students than districts that host charter schools. On average, New York charter schools serve 6% fewer special education students than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• 26% of New York charter schools are operated by educational management organizations (EMOs). Nationwide, EMOs operate 10% of charter schools.

Total enrol lment: In 1998 charter schools became part of the New York education landscape. By the 2004-2005 school year there were 61 schools operating, enrolling 18,575 students.i That number represents approximately 1% of all New York public schools and 1% of all students enrolled in New York public schools.

Minori ty enrollment: Of New York charter school students, 85% are minorities, compared to 81% minority enrollment in school districts where New York charter schools are located.ii

Low-income enrollment: Of New York charter school students, 74% qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program, compared to 63% of students in school districts where New York charter schools are located.

New York (2004-05) Charter Schools As a Percentage of All New York Public Schools

Number of Schools 61 1%

Number of Students 18,575 1%

Missing data: The New York Department of Education did not report the following charter school data points:

• English language learner enrollment • Schools with a waitlist • Parent satisfaction ratings • Average class size • Schools meeting AYP • School performance within the state's accountability system

For more information about New York charter schools : Darlene Mengel Public School Choice Programs New York Department of Education Room 365 EMA Albany, NY 12234 518-474-1762 For the full report: The information in this brief is from a survey published in Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005. The full report is available at www.crpe.org/ncsrp. About NCSRP: The University of Washington’s National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. Its goals are to 1) facilitate the fair assessment of the value-added effects of U.S. charter schools, and 2) provide the charter school and broader public education communities with research and information for ongoing improvement. For more information on NCSRP or its research please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp. To access additional NCSRP data on New York charter schools, or on D.C. and any of the 40 states with charter schools, please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp/database. Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 i The number of charter schools and students in any given state is a moving target. The number reported here is the number that was reported to NCSRP by the state charter school office. ii In order to control for how the location of a charter school might affect its enrollment, NCSRP compared charter school enrollment to the enrollment of districts in the same geographic location as charter schools. NCSRP believes that this method provides a more accurate picture than comparing overall state averages.

Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 OHIO CHARTER SCHOOLS in 2005 This brief on Ohio charter schools highlights information from a survey published in the National Charter School Research Project’s new report: Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005 . Between January and June 2005, the National Charter School Research Project surveyed state charter school offices on a number of indicators pertaining to the characteristics of charter schools and the students they serve. How Ohio charter schools are unique:

• Ohio had the second largest statewide increase in new charter schools in 2004-05. The 71 new charters represent a 26% increase in the total number of Ohio charter schools.

• Only four states have a greater percentage of schools operating as charter schools. Of Ohio public schools, 12% are charter schools. Nationwide, about 3% of public schools are charters.

• Ohio is one of two states where charters serve more special education students than districts that host charter schools. On average, Ohio charter schools serve 5% more special education students than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• Ohio charter schools are less than 1/3 the size of traditional public schools. Ohio charter schools average 235 students per school, while Ohio public schools overall average 801 students.

• Of Ohio charter schools, 30% are operated by educational management organizations (EMOs). Nationwide, EMOs operate 10% of charter schools.

• Ohio charter schools are more likely to serve non-traditional grade combinations, with 22% serving grades K-8 and 26% serving grades K-12. Less than 1% of other public schools in Ohio serve these same grade combinations.

Total enrol lment: In 1997 charter schools became part of the Ohio education landscape. By the 2004-2005 school year there were 268 schools operating, enrolling 62,883 students.i That number represents approximately 12% of all Ohio public schools and 3% of all students enrolled in Ohio public schools.

Minori ty enrollment: Of Ohio charter school students, 59% are minorities, compared to 50% minority enrollment in school districts where Ohio charter schools are located.ii

Ohio (2004-05) Charter Schools As a Percentage of All Ohio Public Schools

Number of Schools 268 12%

Number of Students 62,883 3%

Low-income enrollment: Of Ohio charter school students, 46% qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program, compared to 53% of students in school districts where Ohio charter schools are located. Missing data: The Ohio Department of Education did not report the following charter school data points:

• Schools with a waitlist • Parent satisfaction ratings • School performance within the state's accountability system

For more information about Ohio charter schools: Todd Hanes Office of Community Schools Ohio Department of Education 25 S. Front Street Columbus, OH 43215-4183 614-644-6994 For the full report: The information in this brief is from a survey published in Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005. The full report is available at www.crpe.org/ncsrp. About NCSRP: The University of Washington’s National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. Its goals are to 1) facilitate the fair assessment of the value-added effects of U.S. charter schools, and 2) provide the charter school and broader public education communities with research and information for ongoing improvement. For more information on NCSRP or its research please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp. To access additional NCSRP data on Ohio charter schools, or on D.C. and any of the 40 states with charter schools, please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp/database. Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 i The number of charter schools and students in any given state is a moving target. The number reported here is the number that was reported to NCSRP by the state charter school office. ii In order to control for how the location of a charter school might affect its enrollment, NCSRP compared charter school enrollment to the enrollment of districts in the same geographic location as charter schools. NCSRP believes that this method provides a more accurate picture than comparing overall state averages.

Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOLS in 2005 This brief on Texas charter schools highlights information from a survey published in the National Charter School Research Project’s new report: Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005 . Between January and June 2005, the National Charter School Research Project surveyed state charter school offices on a number of indicators pertaining to the characteristics of charter schools and the students they serve.

How Texas charter schools are unique:

• Texas is one of four states where charters serve at least 10% more minority students than districts that host charter schools. On average, Texas charter schools serve 10% more minority students than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• Texas is one of six states where charters serve at least 10% more low-income students than districts that host charter schools. On average, Texas charter schools serve 11% more students who qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program than do traditional public schools in districts with charters.

• Texas charter schools are more likely to serve non-traditional grade combinations, with 13% serving grades K-8 and 36% serving grades K-12. Of other public schools in Texas, 6% serve these same grade combinations.

Total enrol lment: In 1995 charter schools became part of the Texas education landscape. By the 2004-2005 school year there were 235 schools operating, enrolling 80,000 students.i That number represents approximately 3% of all Texas public schools and 2% of all students enrolled in Texas public schools.

Minori ty enrollment: Of Texas charter school students, 82% are minorities, compared to 72% minority enrollment in school districts where Texas charter schools are located.ii

Low-income enrollment: Of Texas charter school students, 63% qualify for the federal subsidized lunch program, compared to 52% of students in school districts where Texas charter schools are located.

Texas (2004-05)

Charter Schools As a Percentage of All Texas Public Schools

Number of Schools 235 3%

Number of Students 80,000 2%

Missing data: The Texas Education Agency did not report the following charter school data points:

• Start-up vs. conversion schools • Schools with a waitlist • Parent satisfaction ratings • Average class size • School performance within the state's accountability system

For more information about Texas charter schools: Holly Noak Project Manager Texas Education Agency 1701 N. Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 512-463-9575 For the full report: The information in this brief is from a survey published in Hopes, Fears, and Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2005. The full report is available at www.crpe.org/ncsrp. About NCSRP: The University of Washington’s National Charter School Research Project (NCSRP) aims to bring rigor, evidence, and balance to the national charter school debate. Its goals are to 1) facilitate the fair assessment of the value-added effects of U.S. charter schools, and 2) provide the charter school and broader public education communities with research and information for ongoing improvement. For more information on NCSRP or its research please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp. To access additional NCSRP data on Texas charter schools, or on D.C. and any of the 40 states with charter schools, please visit www.crpe.org/ncsrp/database. Embargoed for release at 12:01 a.m. EST Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 i The number of charter schools and students in any given state is a moving target. The number reported here is the number that was reported to NCSRP by the state charter school office. ii In order to control for how the location of a charter school might affect its enrollment, NCSRP compared charter school enrollment to the enrollment of districts in the same geographic location as charter schools. NCSRP believes that this method provides a more accurate picture than comparing overall state averages.