A Think Twice Review of:

Time to Change Course: Reclaiming the Potential of Texas Charter Schools

Think Twice - Sep 11, 2018

Publisher/Think Tank - ExcelinEd and the Texas Public Policy Foundation

Author(s) - Adam Jones and Amanda List

The report claims Texas had formerly been a leader in creating high-performing charter schools. It further claims that Texas’ past low barriers for entry into the market (i.e., ease of having an application approved by an authorizer) was a contributing factor to this success.

Reviewer(s) - Edward J. Fuller

The report fails to employ case study methodology, or to review or cite relevant research. It instead relies on unsubstantiated claims, anecdotes, misleading statements, and even demonstrably false statements to promote the development of more charter schools in Texas. In short, Fuller concludes, this report is an advocacy paper masquerading as a case study. Policymakers would be well advised to skip the report and look for evidence-based reviews of the Texas charter authorizing process.