Great article.  I posted the following comment on the Greenville blog:

The question of charters... At this point the research on charters seems inconclusive. While too exhaustive to review here, some researchers suggest that claims of charter success do not stand the test of time (fade after several initial years of success), can be attributed to the self-selection bias of who signs up for charter schools, or can be attributed to the normal range of school performance (start a whole bunch of charters and some are bound to outperform the norm). Regardless of their success or failures, I have struggled with the message that charter school success creates. Often this message is that charter school success is simply a result of a disciplined academic culture characterized by students, parents and teachers who care. This simple story exonerates the role of poverty, the widespread inequity of public school funding, and the curriculum bias of schools along lines of class and race. This exoneration of economic issues seems to me Paul's point.

thanks also for you extensive comments on my charter questions.  Complicated space heh?  I have not yet had a chance to follow up on the research link or carefully consider your thoughts/questions but will do both.

Amdrew

Paul,

You really articulate critical ideas in teacher education clearly in this article.  Your readers seem to appreciate your angle and accessibility.  Me too!  Best.

Dave