North Carolina Charter Schools Without Transportation: Increasing Access to Learning Opportunities for All Students

• In Event: 35.082 - Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 35.082-3 - Charter Schools and Institutions

Abstract

This study investigates whether transportation is a barrier to low-income student’s access to North Carolina charter schools. Charter schools contribute to racial and economic segregation both among themselves and in comparison to traditional public schools. With recent growth in the number and size of charter schools, the researchers wonder what mechanisms lead to this isolation, and if these trends will grow with charter schools. To address these concerns the research team surveyed 50 charter schools, and interviewed seven with transportation. The researchers sought to understand how and why certain charter schools provide transportation and what challenges they were faced with. With this information, the researchers recommend a specific policy change designed to support equal access to free transportation.

Author

• Shelby Eden Dawkins-Law, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill