Exploring Charter Schools in Bogotá, Colombia, as a Case Study of Global Choice-Based Education Reforms

• In Event: Global Perspectives on School Choice

Abstract

Examining charter schools in Colombia as a global example of school choice reforms, we collected qualitative and quantitative data across all levels of one charter management organization and its five schools serving the lowest-income communities of Bogotá. These schools are part of a charter reform called Colegios en Concesión (CEC) in which public moneys are given to private groups to administer city schools. We analyzed teaching, learning, families, and school organization in the five schools. We found that these schools do well based on official academic and non-academic indicators but also present serious limitations and concerns. Our paper offers an empirical investigation of charter schools as an improvement model not only in Colombia but in low- and middle-income contexts globally.

Author

• Brad Olsen, The Brookings Institution