differences autonomy included “efficiency” outcomes better generate

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2. The most inefficient schools with taxpayer money are dominated by traditional MPS. The bottom ten schools who took the Badger Exam are all traditional MPS. Eight of the least efficient WKCE are traditional MPS schools. 3. After controlling for socio-economic status and demographic factors in econometric analysis, independent and non-instrumentality charters are much more efficient with public money than traditional MPS schools. These schools achieve the same—or better—outcomes at a lower per student cost than traditional public schools. Instrumentality schools, which are tightly con trolled by MPS with union teachers, score far worse than independent and non-instrumentality charters and are either only marginally more efficient than MPS (in the case of the Badger Exam) or equally efficient (in the case of the WKCE). These findings are shown in the bar chart below. Because MPS represents the ‘0’ line on the chart, all comparisons are made to MPS. Bang for the Buck 3
For policymakers, questions going forward: Are we smart “investors”? Non-instrumentality charters and independent charters receive significantly less funding per student than traditional public schools or instrumentality charter school. Yet despite educating similar economically disadvantaged students, these charters achieve significantly better outcomes per dollar spent. Because these schools can do more with less, policymakers should reconsider the merit of this funding disparity. Should we be funding our best schools at a significantly lower amount? Should we consider ways in which more independent and non-instrumentality charters could be authorized? Why are certain charter schools doing more with less? This research can tell us that charters are more efficient, but it cannot fully tell us why that is the case. To be sure, a significant portion of the added cost of traditional public education goes to paying legacy costs that cannot be easily reduced. To that extent, these schools are not burdened by the sins of the past. But that doesn’t explain better absolute performance in these schools. The educational community and public would benefit from a deeper understanding of the causes of efficiency differences. If a conclusion must be drawn, it would seem that the more autonomous a school is, the better it performs. This is consistent with much of existing research. This model should be replicated and the state should encourage policies that incentivize such schools. Are instrumentality charter schools really “charter” schools? In addressing these policy questions, we need to remember that a “charter” is not simply a “charter.” Unlike independent and non-instrumentality charters, instrumentality charters receive the same funding as traditional MPS schools. Unlike independent and non-instrumentality charters, they are about as inefficient as traditional MPS schools. This could be because MPS completely controls instrumentality schools in all areas, including the hiring of teachers and principals, opting to make school employees’ members of the public unions, and the management of the school. In other words, on many key items that could affect school performance, there is no difference. Bang for the Buck 4
Page 2 and 3: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background: Not a
Page 6 and 7: I. Introduction Although the public
Page 8 and 9: All charter schools in Milwaukee ar
Page 10 and 11: schools. These coefficient estimate
Page 12 and 13: These results are supportive of our
Page 14 and 15: Table 4. Effect of School Type and
Page 16 and 17: IV. Limitations A few limitations o
Page 18 and 19: Endnotes 1. New legislation has exp
Page 20 and 21: TENOR HS (Indp) 0.287191 IDEAL (Ins
Page 22 and 23: BUSINESS AND ECON ACAD OF MIL. (Non
Page 24 and 25: WHS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 0.167557
Page 26 and 27: VIEAU ELEMENTARY 0.24841 MIL. ACADE
Page 28: METCALF ELEMENTARY 0.192206 TOWSEND

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