The District and Charter Sectors of American K–12 Education: Pros and Cons

ABSTRACT

This article probes ways in which the school-choice marketplace as it developed via chartering has not worked as well in practice as many had hoped. It includes reflection on the profoundly different operating principles and theories of action that separate the district and charter sectors in their pure forms. It also offers market-strengthening suggestions that blend the 2 approaches, organizing them under 10 categories.

KEYWORDS:

• charter schools
• charter sector
• district sector
• school district
• market reforms