Differences in Academic Performance between Elementary Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
By design analogy (non-clinical): cross-sectional observational comparative study.
OpenAlex W2741071439 · doi:10.22606/jaer.2017.23004
What was done
The authors compared academic performance between students enrolled in charter elementary schools and traditional public elementary schools in Texas. Data were analyzed from Grades 3, 4, and 5 students who took the 2015 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessments in reading (Grade 3), reading and writing (Grade 4), and reading and science (Grade 5).
What was found
Students in traditional public elementary schools achieved statistically significantly higher scores across reading, mathematics, writing, and science compared to students in charter schools. The abstract reports no numerical test scores, effect sizes, p-values, or sample sizes.
Why it matters
This study provides statewide comparative data on standardized test performance between traditional public and charter elementary schools in Texas, suggesting traditional schools outperformed charters across multiple subjects in 2015.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample sizes, effect sizes, or test score values. The observational cross-sectional design does not account for baseline student selection effects, socioeconomic factors, English language learner status, or other potential confounders, and findings are limited to a single state in one academic year.
Cited by
- supports State standardized testing under the Texas STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) program begins in the third grade.