Charting a New Path: Innovation and Accountability in K-12 Charter Schools

Charter schools are a significant player in the K-12 educational landscape, and their influence is on the rise. Flexibility and innovation are hallmarks of the charter school experience, but schools must still be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs. In short, they must be accountable. Just as in traditional public schools, technology is becoming a critical part of the conversation in charter schools about how to ensure students are competitive in the global marketplace. Robust, highly interactive digital curriculum provides real-time assessment data that informs instruction on an ongoing basis, helping educators effectively customize the learning experience and engage students like never before. Charters are in a unique position to take advantage of these tools, and are demonstrating impressive successes as a result. This paper explores factors charter schools should consider when looking at how to effectively embark on new initiatives. Learn how some schools are balancing the parallel, yet potentially conflicting, objectives of innovation and accountability.