Do Charter Schools Make a Difference in School Crime, Academics, and Student Behavior?

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Schools of Choice: How Do They Measure Up?

Abstract

Charter schools and four other types of school organization were compared on (a) student crime at school, (b) academic performance indices, and (c) short-term student suspensions. The data originated with all the public schools in one state during the 2015-2016 school year: charter schools (n = 157), traditional schools (n =1,838), and public schools with three types of PBIS programming (i.e., Green Ribbon, n = 269; Model, n = 211; and Exemplar schools, n = 115). Proportionally, and in comparison to other types of school structure, charter schools demonstrated (a) significantly lower school-related crime, (b) better academic growth in Reading, and (c) lower short-term suspension rates. Odds ratios and implications related to the efficacy of school type are discussed.

Authors

• Edward J. Sabornie, North Carolina State University

• Cathy L. Crossland, North Carolina State University

• Emily H. Griffith, North Carolina State University

• Mityl Biswas, North Carolina State University