Charter schools outperformed traditional public schools in standardized test scores—despite receiving less funding per pupil

See Cuomo’s Good Charter Fight: Union opposition keeps 52,700 kids on a wait list for better schools. WSJ editorial. Excerpt:

"The most recent state test results for grades 3-8 show that while the majority of New York students attending traditional public schools are not proficient in either math or English language arts (ELA), a majority of charter school students are.

For New York City, the charter performance is even more impressive when broken down by race. At city charters, 57% of black students and 54% of Hispanic students pass ELA, compared with 52% of white students statewide. It’s the same in math, with 59% of black students and 57% of Hispanics at city charters passing, against 54% of white students statewide.

The New York City results reflect evidence elsewhere. A study released this month from the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas examined eight big cities—Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, New York City, San Antonio and the District of Columbia—to determine which type of public school offers the better return on the educational dollar.

Their finding? In all cities, charter schools outperformed traditional public schools in standardized test scores—despite receiving less funding per pupil. Charters were more cost effective and delivered a greater return on investment."