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CREDO Study: Urban charter schools making significant positive impact

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The Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University report, Urban Charter School Study Report on 41 Regions found that public charter schools located in the nation’s largest urban districts are showing significant positive performance impacts for the most disadvantaged students.

Overall, students enrolled in urban public charter schools gained 40 additional days of learning in math and 28 additional days in reading compared to their traditional public school peers. These urban public charter schools are providing particularly transformational experiences for disadvantaged students, as illustrated below.

  • Hispanic English language learners showed the greatest learning gains of any student subgroup, with 72 additional days of learning in math and 79 in reading.
  • Students living in poverty gained 24 learning days in math and 17 in reading by attending an urban public charter school.
  • Black students in poverty showed gains equivalent to 59 instructional days in math and 44 days in reading.
  • Students with special needs showed learning gains equivalent to nine additional instructional days in math and 13 in reading.

This study further highlights how public charter schools providing high-quality options for families. Learn more.



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