The Equity Imperative
Charter schools that exclude or push out disadvantaged students undermine the public purpose they're meant to serve. Authorizers increasingly hold charters accountable not just for academic results but for equitable enrollment and retention of all student groups.
Two charter schools in the same city reported similar academic outcomes. But enrollment data told different stories. School A enrolled students reflecting the district: 45% low-income, 12% special education, 8% English learners. School B served 15% low-income, 4% special education, and 2% English learners. Were they equally successful?
Accountability for equity means examining not just outcomes but inputs—who the school serves and whether it provides equitable access.
Enrollment Equity Indicators
Demographic Comparison
Compare charter enrollment to surrounding district by race and ethnicity, income status (free/reduced lunch eligibility), English learner percentage, students with disabilities, and other subgroups. Significant underrepresentation raises questions.
Attrition Patterns
Examine who leaves: Do certain student groups have higher attrition rates? Do students leave mid-year or between years? Where do departing students go? High attrition of specific populations suggests systematic issues.
Discipline Disparities
Track discipline by subgroup: Are suspension rates proportionate across groups? Are certain students disciplined more frequently? Disparities may indicate bias in discipline systems.
Service Provision
Ensure equitable services: Are students with disabilities receiving required services? Are English learners getting appropriate support? Are students accessing advanced courses equitably?
Enrollment Equity Questions
- • Does our enrollment reflect the community we serve?
- • Are certain student groups underrepresented?
- • Do attrition patterns differ by student group?
- • Are discipline rates equitable across groups?
- • Are all students receiving appropriate services?
- • Do enrollment practices create barriers?
State Accountability Monitoring
Stay ahead of CSI/TSI designations and meet authorizer requirements with real-time monitoring.
Equitable Enrollment Practices
Accessible Recruitment
Recruit broadly: materials in multiple languages, outreach to underserved communities, partnerships with community organizations, and presence where families gather.
Fair Lottery Processes
Ensure lottery integrity: transparent procedures, proper documentation, preference categories that support equity (siblings, geographic proximity), and accessible application processes.
Welcoming All Families
Don't discourage families from applying: accurate information about services for students with disabilities, clear support for English learners, no statements discouraging particular students, and honest representation of school model.
Backfilling Seats
When students leave, backfill from waitlist. Schools that stop enrolling mid-year may be managing enrollment to improve outcomes rather than serving community need.
Retention Equity
Supporting Struggling Students
Rather than counseling out students who struggle, invest in support: intervention programs, family engagement, and addressing barriers to success. Success means helping students succeed, not removing those who struggle.
Avoiding Pushout
Monitor for practices that push students out: excessive discipline, pressure to withdraw, discouragement about fit. Even without explicit exclusion, some practices effectively remove students.
Exit Interviews
Conduct exit interviews with departing families. Understand why students leave, identify patterns, and address systemic issues.
Success Stories
See how Michigan charter schools are achieving results with AcumenEd.
Authorizer Accountability
Many authorizers now include equity in accountability frameworks: enrollment comparison metrics, attrition monitoring, discipline disparity tracking, and service provision review.
Schools that consistently underenroll or push out disadvantaged students may face consequences: required improvement plans, conditional renewal, or non-renewal.
School B from our opening example faced questions. Their authorizer required explanation of enrollment disparities and development of an equity improvement plan. The school committed to expanded recruitment, service improvements, and enrollment monitoring—accountability driving change.
Equity accountability reflects charter schools' public mission. Schools that serve all students—including those hardest to educate—fulfill that mission. Those that select or exclude undermine it. Accountability ensures the mission is honored.
Key Takeaways
- Equity accountability examines who schools serve, not just academic outcomes.
- Key indicators include demographic comparison, attrition patterns, discipline disparities, and service provision.
- Equitable practices include accessible recruitment, fair lottery, welcoming all families, and backfilling seats.
- Invest in supporting struggling students rather than counseling them out.
Dr. Sarah Chen
Chief Education Officer
Former school principal with 20 years of experience in K-12 education. Dr. Chen leads AcumenEd's educational research and curriculum alignment initiatives.
