Education Innovation Consortium
Fall 2003
The Buffalo Board of Education has undertaken a bold reform: creation of a network of charter schools, known as the Renaissance Project Schools, to be sponsored by the district itself. The hope is that, by offering such choices, Buffalo can improve educational variety and productivity, save some money, and at the same time spur the existing public schools to improve themselves. (See http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20031204/1020076.asp.) (subscription required) This report was commissioned by the Board to help them weigh this important decision. It is a coherent and logical production that enumerates the logic for charter schools, with references to numerous studies and writings on the topic. It also anticipates and addresses common concerns about charters. And it outlines the forms that such a network of charter schools might take in Buffalo. Along the way, analysts surveyed Buffalo parents about their attitudes toward charters. Though many expressed relative ignorance, most were supportive; parents want the best possible education for their children, regardless of who runs the schools. What's interesting about the proposal, however, is not just that those overseeing district schools came to support it but also the plan for a network of charters. As the report argues, "by coordinating with BPS around data and scheduling issues, and by pooling resources and investigating shared-service strategies, a charter network could serve children more effectively than a series of individual schools." Of course, the Board's initial vote is only the beginning of this story. While the district will sponsor these schools, they will be managed independently, so the Board must find enough individuals or organizations interested in doing so. The plan will also need to overcome ongoing resistance by the teachers' union. (The local union leader noted that school board elections are in May and said, ominously, "we'll deal with it then.") To view this report, click here.
