differences autonomy included “efficiency” outcomes better generate

These results are supportive of our hypothesis that independent and non-instrumentality charters are
better stewards of taxpayer money. Of the top 15 schools in WKCE efficiency, 9 are independent
or non-instrumentality charters. Public schools perform somewhat more competitively on the
Badger Exam, but independent and non-instrumentalities still hold a disproportionate share of the top
fifteen spots. Despite representing less than 15% of schools in our sample, independent charter and
non-instrumentality charters hold down 53% of the top 15 spots on the Badger Exam.
Recognizing that poverty is an important predictor of educational outcomes, Table 2 presents the top
15 schools in Milwaukee where more than 80% of students receive free-or-reduced lunch. 19 This
sample is a bit more MPS dominated, with few instrumentality charters and slightly fewer independent
charters. Figure 2 provides a pie-chart of this smaller sample.
Similar to the pattern identified in Table 2, we see that instrumentality and non-instrumentality schools
represent a much larger share of the top 15 than their share of schools in our sample. 73% of the top
15 on the WKCE and 53% of the top 15 on the Badger Exam are independent or non-instrumentality
charter schools. That said, several public schools, such as Curtin Elementary, rank relatively high on
the list, and ALBA is a strong representative for instrumentality charters.
Bang for the Buck
11