Archived - The State Role - Research Questions About the State Role

Archived Information

A Study of Charter Schools: The First Year - May 1997

Chapter II

Research Questions About the State Role

This review of charter laws shows some specific ways that states differ in their approach. The impact of these differences may be viewed at two levels. At the statewide level, the scope and autonomy permitted by a state law might affect whether charter schools could catalyze broad changes in the state's public education system. How many charter schools the state allows, what agency (or agencies) can grant a charter, what staffing arrangements are allowed, and whether private schools can become charters could all influence the systemic impact that charter schools might have on public education in any particular state. Over the next four years, the Study will examine these issues. More specifically, the Study plans to ask:

How do states approach charter schools, and can these approaches be categorized into several contrasting state profiles?¹¹
How are the statutes actually implemented in practice in the various states?
How does the context for change or school reform in states affect charter statutes and the way they are implemented and interpreted locally?
Do state differences have systemic influences on the nature, type, and operations of charter schools?
What effects, if any, do charter efforts have on the laws, regulations, and policies regarding the public education system in a state?

At the school level, the states' charter statutes undoubtedly affect charter development and implementation. However, the implementation of charter schools depends on many factors in addition to state policy. Since the link between state charter policy and how charter schools operate--let alone their success--can be tenuous, the Study will take a three-pronged approach to investigating possible links. We will trace upward from the school level to specific state policies, follow particular state policies downward to charter schools, and compare across states. Existing or new federal regulations and policies also might affect charter schools in ways different from other public schools. Since charter schools are in an early stage of development, the specific ways that state and federal laws affect charter schools is unknown territory. Specifically, the Study intends to provide research evidence about the following questions:

To what extent do specific provisions in state policies help or hinder charter implementation?
How do federal education policies affect charter school implementation? Do charter schools qualify for and receive state and federal categorical funds?

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[Variations in State Policies]

[Summary]