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Number of Charter Schools Increases 11 Percent Nationwide During 2006-2007 School Year More Than Half of All Charter Students Are Low-Income or Minority, According to New Survey

Washington, D.C., May 10, 2007 - The number of charter schools nationwide grew by 11 percent in 2006, serving a student body that is on average 53 percent minority and 54 percent low-income, according to the 2007 Annual Survey of America's Charter Schools, released today by the Center for Education Reform (CER). For more than a decade, charter schools have experienced double-digit annual growth.

The survey also found that charter school popularity continues to grow among children most in need. In 2006, more than four in ten charter schools served a student body composed of fully 60 percent or more "at risk" and/or minority students.

Nationwide, there are a total of 3,940 charter schools operating this school year, an increase of 323 from last year, according to the survey. A total of 1,156,874 students are enrolled in charter schools in the United States this school year, up 7.4 percent from last year's 1,076,964.

"This year's survey shows more conclusively than ever that charter schools are providing students who have been left behind in the conventional system with innovative and accountable choices in education," said Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform. "Without the focused curricula, small school size, and community environment of charter schools, most of these students would be stranded in a failing conventional public school simply because their parents can't afford to move to a neighborhood with a better school."

Charter schools are innovative, public schools designed by educators, parents or civic leaders that are open by choice, accountable for results, and free from most rules and regulations governing conventional public schools.

The Center for Education Reform (CER) creates opportunities for and challenges obstacles to better education for America's communities. Founded in 1993, CER combines education policy with grassroots advocacy to foster positive and bold education reforms. For more information, visit The Center for Education Reform

Labels: CER, charter school, education reform, school