Massachusetts charter schools flunk diversity test
The Boston Herald
Kevin Rothstein
December 9, 2004
Student populations at Bay State charter schools differ substantially from the districts they draw from, according to a study being released today.
``We need to be more thoughtful in the way we distribute the opportunity to attend charter schools,'' said Paul Reville, Rennie Center executive director.
The study found that charter schools serve a greater proportion of black students than live in their districts but fewer white, English-language learners, Asian, Hispanic, special education and poor students.
Marc Kenen of the Massachusetts Charter School Association said the independent public schools' lottery enrollment system means charters can't help who is enrolled, but said he would consider weighting lotteries to favor low-income students.
