A new study by a Harvard economist that shows New York City charter schools pushing ahead of traditional public schools on standardized tests could have educators across the country looking to the city for lessons.

A researcher at Columbia University's Teachers College, Jack Buckley, said the study adds to a consensus that charter schools are having positive impacts, raising a new question: "Why? What is it about the schools that's driving this?" he said.

The researchers, led by an economist, Caroline Hoxby, who is reportedly moving to Stanford University from Harvard University, said they could not give a definitive answer to Mr. Buckley's question, but noted that a longer school day was the only policy statistically related to the higher test scores. They also cited policy differences common to charter schools, including school uniforms and merit-based bonuses for teachers.

This article appeared in the July 26, 2007 edition of the New York Sun.

http://www.nysun.com/article/59183?page_no=2

Published Friday, Jul. 27, 2007