Public School Choice

The Center for American Progress recognizes there are many strategies to reach the end goal of ensuring a quality education for every child. This includes a balanced approach to opening and supporting charter schools and other forms of public school choice. While high-quality charter schools have been a critical strategy to increase opportunity and create more good seats for students, some of the critiques of the charter sector also have merit and must be addressed. We argue that there is a progressive case for charters focused on growing and learning from successful models, while also addressing gaps in charter policy, such as the problems with for-profit, virtual charter schools.

See the K-12 Education team’s other core priority areas:

  1. Race Equity
  2. College, Career, and Civic Readiness
  3. Teaching Profession
  4. Investment and Funding Equity
 

Latest

The Progressive Case for Charter Schools Article
Students rally in support of public charter schools in Olympia, Washington, February 2016. (AP/Ted S. Warren)

The Progressive Case for Charter Schools

High-quality charter schools exemplifying progressive values by providing historically underserved students with equal educational opportunity deserve our support.

Erin Roth, Abel McDaniels, Catherine Brown, 1 More Neil Campbell

Improving Outcomes for Students with Disabilities Report

Improving Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Collaboration in special education between charter schools and traditional public school districts offers the potential to benefit students with disabilities.

Lauren Morando Rhim, Jessica Sutter, Neil Campbell

President Trump’s Education Plan Puts Students and Schools at Risk Fact Sheet
Then-President-elect Donald Trump, center, welcomes his pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, right, to the stage during a rally at DeltaPlex Arena, December 9, 2016, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ((AP/Andrew Harnik))

President Trump’s Education Plan Puts Students and Schools at Risk

A CAP chart illustrates the differences between strong policies for public charter schools and the plan from President Donald Trump and his secretary of education nominee, Betsy DeVos.

Kami Spicklemire, Neil Campbell

Great Leaders for Great Schools Report
Students at High Tech High International high school in San Diego on May 10, 2011. (AP/Lenny Ignelzi)

Great Leaders for Great Schools

Great principals are critical to student success and their preparation and development is a key priority for successful school networks.

Simmons Lettre, Neil Campbell

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