Academic Diversification in Curriculum Themes and Achievement: Additional Findings From California's Charter School Domain

• In Event: Pathways to Success: Charter School Structures, Curricula, and Student Outcomes

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed data from California, the largest charter school system in the United States, to assess the impact of attending a charter school on student achievement. To address potential bias in charter school selection, we utilized conventional propensity-score matching (PSM) and CREDO’s VCR methodology to select a comparison group of traditional public school (TPS) students who closely resembled the charter school students in our sample. We obtained data from the California Department of Education (CADOE) and various sources. Our analysis revealed that students attending charter schools with a more traditional academic focus tend to achieve larger learning gains in math and ELA than similar students in more progressive, vocational, and alternative charter schools.

Authors

• Jonah Liebert, New York City Department of Education

• Charisse A. Gulosino, University of Memphis