Risk, Resilience, and Transformation: A Charter School Success Story

• In Event: Roundtable Session 101
  In Roundtable Session: Longitudinal Student Outcomes in a Variety of Charter School Contexts

Abstract

This paper examines characteristics that contribute to the success of graduates of a charter school system serving students considered to be “at-risk.” For this study, online surveys were distributed to approximately 150 alumni of the charter’s three high schools. The survey asked graduates to reflect on their high school experience and identify supportive school factors that promoted academic achievement and college participation.Preliminary data suggest home-school communication, school connectedness, student accountability, high expectations and academic rigor as possible factors contributing to student success. Data is interpreted within a theoretical framework of risk and resilience.

Authors

• Michelle L. Tichy, University of Northern Iowa

• Molly Hackett, University of Northern Iowa

• Michael Skivington, Sam Houston State University