In Ohio for example, where the charter sector has been struggling with poor student achievement results for
over a decade, charter schools in Cleveland are producing positive learning gains for their students in both reading and math, compared to students attending traditional district schools in the city.22 In Ohio in particular, the Cleveland School District has been a willing participant in partnering with a high - performing charter management
organization, Breakthrough Schools, to ensure that these charter schools have the
autonomy and accountability, as well as the access to financial resources and school facilities, necessary to produce high - quality results.
This chapter will describe the growth of the charter school movement
over time, evidence of charter school performance, the variability in policies related to school
autonomy and accountability, and the role of management
organizations in growing the charter school sector.