Charter Schools Skimming Poor Students to Boost Test scores

 

The general lack of oversight given charter schools allows for shenanigans. In this case, poor students in Washington DC are driven away from charters, raising test scores, and making it appear that the charter schools are more successful than they really are. Of course, after the charter schools has failed, and dumped the problematic students, they attend "real" public schools, making it appear that the receiving school is less effective than it is in reality.

This from the Washington Post:

 

DC charter schools expel far more students than national average, drawing scrutiny

 

The District of Columbia’s public charter schools are expelling students at a far higher rate for discipline violations than the traditional public schools.

 

An analysis by The Washington Post found charter schools expelled 676 students over the past three years, while the traditional public schools expelled 24 students.

Charter schools have more latitude in deciding what student behavior they will not tolerate. Parents and activists say some charter schools expel students mid-year. Those students then enroll in public schools, which are legally bound to take them.

Scott Pearson, executive director of the D.C. Public Charter School Board, says expulsion rates surpassing the national average is cause for concern. But he says new regulations aren’t necessary.

Another charter schools leader says they should create an alternative school for troubled students.