A study to explore perceptions of public school superintendents in Virginia regarding charter schools.

摘要

This research consisted of a quantitative study of the perceptions of public school superintendents in Virginia regarding charter schools. Superintendents in 103 Virginia public school divisions completed a two-part survey about charter schools that was developed by Ogden (1995) and modified for this study.;For the purpose of this analysis, the superintendents were classified as follows: (1) rural, suburban, and urban; and (2) school divisions that have accepted resolutions for charter school applications and school divisions that have rejected resolutions for charter school applications. Nonparametric statistics, chi-square, were used to analyze the perception data. Alpha level for testing the null hypothesis was set at .05.;Findings revealed: (1) the majority of the superintendents reported that their knowledge of charter schools was very good or good; (2) when the superintendents were classified as rural, urban and suburban, there were no significant differences between their responses to multiple statements under the major sections of the perception survey; and (3) when superintendents were classified based on their divisions' acceptance or rejection of resolutions for charter school applications, one statement revealed a significant difference between their responses to multiple statements under one section of the perception survey.;The largest group of superintendents was aware of charter schools, believed that charter schools do not provide equal education for all students, and were very skeptical about the ability of charter schools to provide better educational outcomes for students. They also agreed that the intent of charter school legislation was to increase student success, to restructure public education, and to get educators to talk seriously about change. Superintendents were quite negative regarding their perceptions about the implementation of charter schools in their school divisions. The majority of superintendents' responses were neutral or in agreement that charter schools should not be implemented because they are not adequately funded. Finally, superintendents perceived charter schools as being capable of benefiting some students; yet, not having the capability to increase students' Standards of Learning (SOL) scores.