Can Successful Schools Replicate? Scaling Up Boston’s Charter School Sector

This randomized control trial by Sarah Cohodes, Elizabeth Setren, and Christopher R. Walters examines the effects of a 2010 policy change in Massachusetts on student achievement at charter schools. The study focuses on the impact of a bill that increased the overall number of allowed charter schools, increased possible funding for charter schools in low performing districts, and granted successful charters the ability to expand to new campuses. Prior to expansion, students attending these successful charter schools had higher math and English scores than students who applied but did not receive randomized lottery offers to attend these school. After the policy change, the authors find these charter schools maintained high levels of student achievement both on the original and expanded campuses.