HOUSTON, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CHILDREN AT RISK has conducted a study examining demographics and performance in 285 charter schools across the state of Texas.

The results show charter schools serve a diverse population of students, many of whom are low-income and members of minority groups. However, when looking at performance, CHILDREN AT RISK found a substantial number of charter schools fail to live up to average levels of student academic achievement.

"Charter schools represent the best and the worst of public education in our state," said Dr. Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. "Some schools are outstanding and do a great job of educating at-risk kids. Unfortunately, too many charter schools lag when it comes to performance, and these schools are doing their students a great disservice."

Texas Charter School Performance

• 54% of charter school campuses failed to meet the federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standard at least once in the past three years
• Large percentages of charter schools in all the major metro areas failed to reach the regional average for the percentage of students scoring at the commended level on TAKS exams. In other words, the following percentage of charter schools in each metro area would be fairly considered below average:
  • Austin – 37%
  • Dallas/Fort Worth – 47%
  • Houston – 42%
  • San Antonio – 53%

The CHILDREN AT RISK study identified "Blue Ribbon" schools, which are high-performing charter schools whose students achieve at above-average levels. The study also identified a list of schools that consistently fail to meet basic academic standards.

Blue Ribbon Schools

• Children First of Dallas, Dallas County
• Harmony Science Academy (Fort Worth), Tarrant County
• Houston Gateway Academy, Harris County
• Mainland Preparatory Academy, Galveston County
• North Hills Preparatory High School Campus, Dallas County
• North Hills Primary School, Dallas County
• Peak Preparatory High School Campus, Dallas County
• Richland Collegiate High School of Math and Science, Dallas County
• Star Charter School, Travis County
• Summit International Preparatory, Tarrant County
• Universal Academy - Flower Mound, Dallas County
• Westlake Academy, Tarrant County
• YES Prep – Gulfton, Harris County
• YES Prep – North Central Campus, Harris County
• YES Prep – Southeast Campus, Harris County
• YES Prep – Southwest Campus, Harris County

Habitually Failing Schools

• Academy of Dallas, Dallas County
• Advantage Academy, Dallas County
• Corpus Christi College Prep. High School, Bexar County
• Katherine Anne Porter School, Hays County
• Life School Oak Cliff, Dallas County
• Lighthouse Charter School, Bexar County
• Metro Academy of Math and Science, Tarrant County
• The Phoenix Charter School, Hunt County
• The Preparatory Academy of Houston, Harris County
• Rick Hawkins High School, Bexar County
• San Antonio Technology Academy, Bexar County
• Southwest Middle School, Harris County
• Texas Virtual Academy at Southwest, Harris County
• Waco Charter School, McLennan County
• Zoe Learning Academy, Harris County

"These schools that consistently fail to meet the federal AYP measurement really should be closed," said Sanborn. "It is not fair to our students to allow them to attend schools that continue to show signs of average or below-average performance. Texas taxpayers should be outraged that this level of educational mediocrity has been allowed to consume their dollars."

About CHILDREN AT RISK

CHILDREN AT RISK is a nonprofit organization leading the way to improving the quality of life for children through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration, and advocacy. CHILDREN AT RISK educates the community and public officials based on its groundbreaking research which tracks children's health, safety, education, and economic conditions. By understanding children's needs and speaking out on their behalf, CHILDREN AT RISK drives change. Visit us at www.childrenatrisk.org, or on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.

Media Contact: Rashena Lindsay Flagg, 713.301.4577

SOURCE CHILDREN AT RISK