Natural State News

A new report from a research team at the University of Arkansas, which reviewed seven U.S. cities, stated that charter schools are more cost-effective and have a greater return-on-investment than public schools. 

"'Making it Count: The Productivity of Public Charter Schools in Seven U.S. Cities' examines cost-effectiveness and return-on-investment (ROI) in Camden, Denver, Indianapolis, Shelby County (Memphis), New Orleans, San Antonio and Washington, D.C., finding that charter schools yield more learning per education dollars spent in each major city," a recent release said.

According to the report, charter schools are producing higher student achievement than traditional schools as measure by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). 

"In reading, charters average 5.92 points higher – per $1,000 funded – than traditional schools, making charters 43% more cost-effective in reading. In math, charters average 6.26 points higher per $1,000 funded, making them 43% more cost-effective in math," the release said. 

Charter schools in all seven cities showed they also exceed the return-on-investment of traditional schools on an average of 46% over the time of a K-12 education. On average, every dollar invested in a child at traditional school yields a $5.46 return in lifetime earnings. 

"Charter schools are proving capable of accomplishing more despite the funding disparity between charter and traditional schools reaching a record-high of 33%," Patrick J. Wolf, Ph.D., distinguished professor and 21st Century Chair in School Choice, Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas, said as reported in the release. "Policymakers should consider charters' success and explore legislation to invest in all students equally, regardless of whether they attend a public charter or traditional public school."

Despite charter schools showing to have a higher return-on-investment, they still receive, on average, 33% less funding than traditional schools.