Overview of Framework

Our descriptive framework includes a series of school characteristics that fall into three broad categories: learning model, administration, and facilities and resources. A broad overview of each category is provided below, along with some example areas in which schools can be expected to differ greatly.

There are also aspects of this framework that are ToBeDetermined. Either these are difficult to measure according to what we currently understand or we may be undecided about whether the characteristic is inside or outside of our scope.

Finally, we present our ConclusionAndImplications and discuss our NextSteps.

Learning Model

These characteristics refer to the learning program in the school, which can have perhaps the most direct impact on student achievement. The chartered school phenomenon has introduced a great deal of variation into learning models, although a chartered school by no means can be assumed to be different from a traditional district-run school. At the same time, many district-run schools are experimenting with alternative pedagogies. As a result, when comparing schools, it is vitally important to capture the difference in learning models.

These characteristics could include:

• Curriculum
• AssessmentOfLearning
• PlaceAndTime
• TeacherToStudentPrograms
• StudentToStudentPrograms
• OtherLearningRelatedVariables

Administration

These characteristics refer to the way in which the school is run on a day-to-day or year-to-year basis - who makes decisions, what type of decisions, and who is involved in the decision-making process. As with learning models, the chartered school phenomenon has introduced a great deal of variation into school administration. These variables can have a strong impact on the role of the teacher in the school, the composition of the school staff, and student attitudes about the school.

These characteristics could include:

• SchoolManagement
• TeacherDevelopment
• StudentInvolvement
• ParentalInvolvement
• MeasuringSuccess
• OtherAdministrationRelatedVariables

Facilities and Resources

These variables refer to the nature of the facility in which the school is located and the resources that are available to students. This is one of the more dramatic differences between district-run, private and chartered schools. District and private schools often have their own facility designed specifically for their learning model, whereas new chartered schools often have to make do with shared space, occasionally in office buildings or other non-standard settings. These issues can have a strong impact on the finances of the school and the safety and security of the school environment. In addition, if teachers and staff have to spend large amounts of time dealing with facility-related issues, then there is less time for group and individual planning, which can impact the quality of the learning environment.

These characteristics could include:

• SchoolBuilding
• SchoolStatus
• UseOfTechnology
• SupportServices
• OtherFacilityRelatedVariables

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