School choice success: Study shows robust charter school programs bridge performance gaps for low-income kids

A think tank found that achievement gaps narrowed for low-income students enrolled in charter schools, largely benefitting students belonging to minority groups as well.

Taylor Penley is an associate editor with Fox News.

Charter schools, according to the Georgia Department of Education, are publicly funded schools that operate "under the terms of a charter, or contract, with an authorizer, such as the state and local boards of education," but receive flexibility in certain areas "in exchange for a higher degree of accountability for raising student achievement."

"Our report belies the oft-heard but unfounded criticism that charters somehow drain legacy schools of the ‘best’ students and resources, to the detriment of those left behind," Pankovits' analysis states. "Evidently, the growth of enrollment in charter schools creates a positive competitive dynamic with the traditional district schools, which have to up their game to attract parents and students."