Financial Impact of Public Charter Schools

Report from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools looks at the fiscal impact of charter schools and the myths propogated by school districts.

Among their conclusions:

• Districts get more per-pupil funding because of charter schools
• Charter schools often enroll high-cost students.
• Charter schools have positive academic effects.

These parallel the findings in our report on the Edifice Complex, which also examines public school spending, particularly on instruction.

We concluded that district schools should become more like public charter and cyber schools – competing for students, focusing on instruction, getting funding that follows the child, having charters that can be revoked for underperforming, and being accountable first and foremost to parents.