Three three signs that a proposed charter school is at risk of failing

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute came out with a new analysis of "risk factors in charter school applications.

• Lack of identified leadership: Charter applications that propose a self-managed school without naming a school leader.
• High risk, low dose: Charter applications that propose to serve at-risk pupils but plan to employ “low dose” academic programs that do not include sufficient academic supports, such as intensive small-group instruction or extensive individual tutoring.
• A child-centered curriculum: Charter applications that propose to deploy child-centered, inquiry-based pedagogies, such as Montessori, Waldorf, Paideia, or experiential programs.