
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 13, 1995                   TAG: 9509130066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

CHARTER SCHOOLS SERVE RANGE OF STUDENTS, COMMITTEE TOLD

A national survey of charter schools shows they are not just for the privileged few as some critics have claimed, a legislative study committee was told Tuesday.

Twenty states have authorized charter schools, which receive public money but are exempted from many regulations as long as they meet performance standards outlined in a charter negotiated with the government.

The 1995 General Assembly rejected several bills to create charter schools, which Gov. George Allen supports. Instead, a committee was created to study the concept and make a recommendation to the 1996 assembly.

Alex Medler, a policy analyst for the Education Commission of the States, said his organization's survey found that most charter schools serve ``a cross section of all students.''

The second-largest charter-school category is for at-risk youth, followed by schools for gifted students.

``If people are concerned about charter schools serving only the privileged elite, that's probably not the case,'' Medler said.

Sen. R. Edward Houck, D-Spotsylvania and a charter-school critic, questioned how students are chosen for the experimental schools.

Medler said in many cases, selection is by lottery. Some charter schools require that students demonstrate an interest in a certain area, such as technology. Previous academic achievement usually is not a factor, he said.

Medler also said racial minorities account for about one-third of charter-school students.

More than 200 charter schools have been approved nationwide, and about 110 were operating last spring when the survey was conducted. About two-thirds of the schools participated in the survey.

The No. 1 mission cited by the schools was to provide better teaching and learning. Innovative programs ranked second, followed by a desire to ``teach according to a certain principle or philosophy,'' Medler said.

The schools varied in the level of autonomy granted by the government, and public start-up money ranged from $5,000 per school in California to $50,000 in Minnesota. The average was about $20,000.

Lack of money and facilities were cited as the biggest barriers to success. Some charter schools have been established in existing public schools, where buildings are readily available, but others have been set up by private groups or individuals who must acquire classroom space.

Medler said charter schools in existing public schools are easier to establish but tend to be less daring. ``Those that start from scratch will probably do more,'' he said.

William Bosher, the state superintendent of public instruction, said schools already can try some innovative programs by obtaining accreditation waivers from the state Board of Education.

by CNB