Gary Orfield

Charter schools are not necessarily a good alternative to regular public schools, argues Gary Orfield in the following viewpoint. Charter schools—publicly funded schools operated by nongovernment groups—are often mismanaged and are subject to the political and sectarian biases of the groups that run them. Moreover, the author contends, some charter schools have failed to improve students’ academic performance. Orfield maintains that the use of alternatives within the public school system— such as magnet schools—is preferable to the risks associated with charter schools. Orfield is a professor of education and social policy at Harvard University.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Orfield, how many charter schools were operating in early 1997"

2. In what ways do charter schools limit choices, in Orfield’s opinion...