Free to Lead: Autonomy In Highly Successful Charter Schools

Case Study Details
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools / Public Impact
April 2010
Charter School Policy

This April 2010 issue brief by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools investigates “autonomy in action” through case studies documenting the experience of five high-performing charter schools.
Conducted by Public Impact, interviews with charter school leaders in Colorado, California, Connecticut, Arkansas, and Lousiana suggested that seven areas of autonomy make the greatest difference in student learning and school reform, including:

  • Freedom to develop a great team
  • Freedom to manage teachers as professionals
  • Freedom to change curriculum and classroom structure
  • Autonomy in scheduling
  • Financial freedom
  • Freedom to focus on education
  • Freedom to define a unique school culture

Download the full study or click here for more information.