Intentionally Diverse Charter Schools: Promise and Perils

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium brings together two empirical research papers and three expert commentaries in order to frame a discussion around intentionally diverse charter schools. Intentionally diverse charter schools deliberately work against national public schooling trends to promote socioeconomically and racially integrated schooling spaces. The research papers will map the national policy landscape around intentionally diverse charter schools and present original empirical research investigating the strategies and practices across a sample of intentionally diverse charter organizations. Expert commentaries will examine the diverse charter model from the respective perspectives of urban politics and education, charter school policy and law, and race and equity.

Sub Unit

• Division L - Educational Policies and Politics / Division L - Section 4: School Choice and Market Reforms

Chair

• Priscilla Wohlstetter, Teachers College, Columbia University

Papers

• The Whys and Hows of Intentional Diversity: A Cross-Case Study of Six Intentionally Diverse Charter Organizations - Priscilla Wohlstetter, Teachers College, Columbia University; Brandon Buck

• The Emergence of Diverse Charters: A Comparative Case Study of New Orleans and Minneapolis–Saint Paul - Huriya Jabbar, The University of Texas - Austin; Terri S. Wilson, University of Colorado Boulder

• Urban Politics and Diverse Charters - Jeffrey R. Henig, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Diverse Charters, Race, and Equity - Andre Perry, Davenport University

• Diverse Charters: Policy and Law - Gary K. Hart