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The Keystone Policy Center today announced the release of a comprehensive report analyzing the academic performance of charter schools across Colorado. The report, titled “Colorado Charter Schools Performance Report,” provides a detailed examination of charter schools’ impact on student learning, particularly focusing on traditionally underserved populations and high-needs areas.
“This report continues Keystone Policy Center’s ongoing commitment to analytically assess our education system to inform policymakers where our schools are advancing educational equity and excellence in Colorado,” said Van Schoales, senior policy director at Keystone Policy Center. “It is essential that we study and replicate all successful practices, whether they originate from charter schools or district-run schools, to ensure every student in Colorado has access to a high-quality education.”
As Colorado continues to recover from the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this report highlights key insights into the recovery of academic performance of students who attend charter schools. The findings indicate that charter schools in Colorado are slightly outperforming district-run schools in academic outcomes and student growth.
Key highlights from the report include:
- Higher Proficiency Rates: Charter schools have a 3-5 percentage point advantage over non-charter schools in literacy proficiency rates across elementary and middle schools.
- Stronger Student Growth: Charter schools demonstrate higher year-over-year student growth, especially among low-income, English language learners, and students with disabilities.
- Superior High School Performance: Charter high school students outperform their non-charter peers in both PSAT and SAT literacy and math scores.
- Improved Outcomes in High-needs Areas: Charter schools provide greater access to high-quality education in areas with limited educational options, with more students attending “Performance” rated schools.
The report calls for continued investment in and study of successful strategies to scale these practices statewide, ultimately aiming to close achievement gaps and improve educational outcomes for all Colorado students.
