Charter Schools in Arizona: Failing Our Students and Violating Educational Equity

In Arizona, charter schools were initially introduced with the promise of offering parents more educational choices and fostering innovation in education. However, decades into the experiment, it has become increasingly clear that many charter schools are falling short of these goals. Not only are charter schools performing worse overall than traditional public schools, but they are also failing to accommodate students with high needs or special education requirements. This is placing a significant strain on Arizona’s public education system, as charter schools send these students back to underfunded public schools—a practice that violates the law and further exacerbates inequities in education.

Charter Schools Underperforming: The Data Tells the Story

When comparing charter schools to public schools in Arizona, the data reveals a troubling trend: charter schools are consistently underperforming. According to a 2023 report by *The Arizona Department of Education*, the average graduation rate for charter schools in the state was 66%, significantly lower than the 78% rate for public schools. Additionally, state assessment results show that charter school students are lagging behind their public school counterparts in core subjects. In the *2022 Arizona Statewide Achievement Assessment*, only 38% of charter school students scored proficient in math, compared to 46% in public schools. In English Language Arts (ELA), 44% of charter school students were proficient, compared to 53% in public schools.

These statistics paint a stark picture: despite the flexibility and autonomy that charter schools enjoy, they are not delivering better academic outcomes. In fact, the data suggests that they are doing worse, particularly when it comes to serving students from lower-income backgrounds. *A 2022 report by the Learning Policy Institute* found that charter schools in Arizona serve fewer low-income students compared to public schools—31% versus 50%. This further underscores that charter schools are not fulfilling their role in providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.

Failure to Accommodate Students with Special Needs

One of the most alarming failures of charter schools in Arizona is their inability—or unwillingness—to accommodate students with special needs. Under federal law, all public schools, including charter schools, are required to provide appropriate services to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, many charter schools in Arizona have been accused of turning away students with special needs or telling parents that they cannot accommodate their child’s requirements, forcing these students to return to public schools.

A 2021 investigation by *The Arizona Republic* found that 27% of charter schools in the state had significantly fewer students with special needs than traditional public schools in the same district. Parents of students with special education needs reported being told by charter schools that their child’s needs were “too complex” or that the school “lacked the resources” to provide necessary accommodations. These actions are illegal. Charter schools, as public institutions, are required to accept and serve all students, including those with disabilities, regardless of the resources available. By refusing to do so, they violate both state and federal law, as well as the principles of educational equity.

Impact on Public Schools: A Growing Burden

The failure of charter schools to accommodate high-needs students has a profound impact on surrounding public schools, which are already underfunded and overburdened. When charter schools refuse to enroll or retain students with special needs, those students are often funneled back into traditional public schools, which must absorb them with little to no additional resources. This creates an inequitable distribution of students with disabilities, concentrating them in public schools that may already be struggling with overcrowded classrooms, inadequate funding, and a shortage of special education teachers.

According to a 2022 report by *The Arizona Center for Economic Progress*, Arizona public schools spend an average of $9,000 per student, while charter schools receive over $11,000 per student—despite serving fewer high-needs students. This disparity in funding, coupled with the additional strain of accommodating students turned away by charter schools, places public schools at an even greater disadvantage. Public schools are left to shoulder the responsibility of providing special education services, often without the necessary resources to do so effectively.

Charter Schools and Accountability: A Broken System

Arizona has long been known for its lax regulation of charter schools, which has contributed to the failures we are witnessing today. Charter schools in Arizona are governed by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, which has been criticized for its lack of oversight and accountability. Unlike public schools, which are subject to strict state regulations and oversight, charter schools operate with greater autonomy. This has led to numerous instances of financial mismanagement, poor academic outcomes, and violations of students' rights.

In fact, a 2023 audit by *The Arizona Auditor General* found that 15% of charter schools in the state had violated financial regulations, with some schools even diverting funds meant for educational purposes to pay for administrative costs or personal expenses. Additionally, the lack of accountability has allowed many charter schools to continue operating despite poor performance, with little consequence.

Conclusion: A Call for Reform

Arizona’s charter schools are failing to live up to their promise. Not only are they underperforming academically compared to public schools, but they are also neglecting their responsibility to serve all students—particularly those with special needs. The practice of turning away students who require additional support is both illegal and unethical, and it places an undue burden on already underfunded public schools.

If Arizona is to provide equitable, high-quality education for all students, it is imperative that the state take action to reform its charter school system. This includes holding charter schools accountable for their performance, ensuring they comply with laws regarding special education, and addressing the funding disparities that disadvantage public schools. Education should be about opportunity, inclusion, and support for all students—not just those charter schools find easy to serve. Arizona’s children deserve better.

**References:**

1. Arizona Department of Education. (2023). *Charter School Performance Report*. Retrieved from [azed.gov](https://azed.gov/).

2. Learning Policy Institute. (2022). *Equity and Access in Arizona Charter Schools*. Retrieved from [learningpolicyinstitute.org](https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/).

3. The Arizona Republic. (2021). "Special Needs Students Often Rejected by Arizona Charter Schools."

4. Arizona Center for Economic Progress. (2022). *Public School Funding and Charter School Funding Disparities in Arizona*. Retrieved from [azeconcenter.org](https://azeconcenter.org/).

5. Arizona Auditor General. (2023). *Audit of Financial Irregularities in Arizona Charter Schools*. Retrieved from [azauditor.gov](https://azauditor.gov/).