Variation in English Learner Achievement Across Charter and Traditional Public Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Disparities and Differences: Examining Charter Schools Outcomes

Abstract

Using eight years of Colorado data, this study used student fixed-effects models to examine English learners’ (ELs) academic performance across school sectors and EL/non-EL achievement gaps. Charter ELs outperformed traditional public school ELs in English language arts (ELA), but showed no significant difference in mathematics. Within charter schools, EL and non-EL students performed similarly in both subjects. In contrast, traditional schools showed significant EL achievement gaps in ELA and mathematics. These findings suggest that charter schools may better support EL academic success in certain areas. However, further research is needed to understand school-level factors contributing to these patterns.

Authors

• Hana Kang, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

• Dick M. Carpenter, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs