Why Are Charter Schools Lagging?

Many say solid library programs, access to more books may help boost student performance

By Debra Lau Whelan -- School Library Journal, 10/1/2004

While you've probably read the latest headlines about charter schools lagging behind public schools, you may have missed one important point: most charter schools don't have school libraries. And, as we are all well aware, numerous studies have shown that strong library media programs have a direct impact on student achievement.

"Almost no charter school employs librarians or media specialists," says Howard Nelson, senior associate director of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which recently released a report comparing the national test scores of children in charter schools and public schools. The report, "Charter School Achievement on the 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress," found that fourth and eighth graders attending charter schools performed about a half year behind public school students in both reading and math.

"We do know that good schools that have high levels of student achievement and high student engagement have to have good libraries to do that," says Joan Devlin, AFT's associate director of education issues. "We know how crucial libraries are, and we spend a lot of time fighting for resources so that schools have the kind of libraries that engage students and improve performance."

So can part of the reason for lower test scores be blamed on the fact that most charter schools can't afford media specialists? "I think you can logically infer that any school—whether public, charter, or private—that lacks a well-funded library media program would start from a deficit," says Julie Walker, the executive director of the American Association of School Librarians.

Unfortunately, no one—not even the U.S. Department of Education—tracks how many of the nation's nearly 3,000 charter schools are equipped with certified media specialists. But it's common knowledge that charter schools generally operate without many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. "Public schools have state curriculum standards and need to maintain certain standards to be accredited," Devlin says. "There are no such standards for charter schools." As a result, they lack qualified teachers and a rigorous curriculum that encourages students to achieve, says Nelson, a principal researcher on the AFT report.

Walker recommends that charter schools without media specialists do their best to ensure that students have access to as many books, resources, and technology as possible. "And if they can't provide that to them in the school setting, then try offering students as many enrichment activities as possible, like trips to the public library and museums," she adds.

Meanwhile, Devlin stresses the importance of mandating statewide standards in charter schools. "The Department of Education is not interested in regulating charter schools but in promoting school choice," Devlin says. "I would hope that the report will begin discussion of common standards for charter schools that will at least give them the same level of accountability as public schools." For a copy of the AFT report, visit, www.aft.org/pubs-reports/downloads/teachers/NAEPCharterSchoolReport.pdf.