WHAT IF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS RAN EVERY INNER-CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT?:

Charter Schools Make Gains On Tests : Headway by Poor Children Linked To Rigorous Methods, Ample Funds (Dan Keating and Theola Labbé-DeBose, 12/15/08, Washington Post)

Students in the District's charter schools have opened a solid academic lead over those in its traditional public schools, adding momentum to a movement that is recasting public education in the city.

The gains show up on national standardized tests and the city's own tests in reading and math, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. Charters have been particularly successful with low-income children, who make up two-thirds of D.C. public school students.

A dozen years after it was created by Congress, the city's charter system has taken shape as a fast-growing network of schools, whose ability to tap into private donors, bankers and developers has made it possible to fund impressive facilities, expand programs and reduce class sizes.

With freedom to experiment, the independent, nonprofit charters have emphasized strategies known to help poor children learn -- longer school days, summer and Saturday classes, parent involvement and a cohesive, disciplined culture among staff members and students.

It's one of the odd quirks of politics that what's bad for the unions is good for poor black children.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 15, 2008 3:21 PM