66.010 - Charter Schools and the Future of Public Education

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Charter schools continue to generate debate about their quality and student outcomes, the entrepreneurial nature of their operations and their relationship to traditional public schooling. The proliferation of charter schools clearly raises questions of opportunity, equity and access, such as what are the implications for school districts and the future of public education; whether and how charters are and can be sustained; whether charters are a back door to privatization of education; what we might expect for under resourced urban public schools that depend on state support; and whether and how states’ commitment to public education is at risk. This Presidential Session seeks to expand the discussion on charter schools and the future of public education with researchers describing how their work informs the debate. It will expand attendees views on charter school policy implications for education finance, politics, law, education reform and special education.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chairs

• Kofi Lomotey, Western Carolina University

• Jess Renee Weiler, Western Carolina University

Participants

• Janelle T. Scott, University of California - Berkeley

• Thandeka K. Chapman, University of California - San Diego

• Julian Vasquez-Heilig, California State University - Sacramento

• Daniel Losen, University of California - Los Angeles