While Kentucky delays, charter schools grow rapidly around nation

It’s been an amazing development. From the creation of the first charter school law two decades ago, the number of charter schools has grown impressively around the nation, and so has student enrollment. This graph, derived from the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows how dramatically the enrollment in charter schools is progressing in the 41 states and the District of Columbia where charter schools are legal.

Charter School Students by Year Graph

That same NCES data shows more: the often-heard claim that charters are discriminatory may not be right, either.

This table, which is a partial extract from the new data, shows the enrollment in charters for whites, blacks and Hispanics is becoming remarkably even.

NCES Charter Statistics

It is sad that “adult interests” in Kentucky are standing in the way of allowing Bluegrass State students to benefit from the expanded education choice options that charter schools provide. Hopefully, with many new faces about to enter the legislature this month, that parochial view of charter schools will become a thing of the past.