Charter Schools: Teacher Professionalism and Decentralization.

Autor/inn/en	Datnow, Amanda; und weitere
Titel	Charter Schools: Teacher Professionalism and Decentralization.
Quelle	(1994), (37 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Accountability; Decentralization; Elementary Secondary Education; Equal Education; Institutional Autonomy; New Federalism; Professional Development; State Legislation; Teacher Influence; Teaching (Occupation) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Verantwortung; Decentralisation; Dezentralisierung; Institutionelle Autonomie; Landesrecht; Teaching; Lehrberuf
Abstract	Charter-school legislation is part of a larger movement that symbolizes the push for decentralization of public schools, grounded in the belief that local control leads to teacher professionalism and thus improved student outcomes. This paper examines enacted charter-school legislation from across the United States, analyzing the similarities and differences and highlighting references to teacher empowerment. The preliminary findings of a charter-school case study are used to critique the assumption that local control and deregulation lead to teacher professionalism and improved student outcomes. The case study of a charter school was conducted in a large, urban school district in California. Interviews were conducted with legislators and legislative analysts, state Department of Education staff, district administrators and school board members, teachers' union officers, the principal, teachers, and parents. Preliminary findings suggest that decentralization can contribute to teacher professionalism; however, this may vary according to the school culture and context. Furthermore, there is no indication that giving teachers more freedom will automatically translate into improved student outcomes. Another question is whether the benefits of increased teacher empowerment and professionalism that may result from local control outweigh the potential costs of decentralization. Possible risks of the charter legislation include the loss of democratic control over public schools and a reversal of previous gains in the area of civil rights. It is recommended that legislators and policy makers carefully evaluate the intent and potential outcomes of charter-school legislation before enacting it. The appendix contains information on charter-school legislation in eight states. (LMI)
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC