Jeffrey Henig, professor of political science and education, recently commented on the variances in quality among charter schools within the nation's capital. A study of these schools, which included site visits to 39 campuses, interviews with educators, and a review of student test scores, revealed that factors including teacher and administrative training, curriculum content, and funding underscore these inequalities. Henig, who has studied charters in the District, said, "It's a real mixed lot. Some of them probably are doing a better job than the schools from which they're drawing families. . . . Some school leaders and some teachers are younger and more enthusiastic and are possibly forging better relationships with the kids. But a lot of them are quite amateurish and are doing a bad job."

Charter schools, which receive government funding yet are operated independent of the public school system, were introduced in the District in 1996. There are 11,603 enrollees--one out of every seven public school children--in D.C. charter schools

The article, entitled "Quality Uneven, Despite Popularity" appeared in the June 19 edition of the Washington Post .

Published Monday, Jun. 23, 2003