Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to replicate Cameron McCune's 1994 study of charter schools. The focus of the current study was to determine to what extent those charter schools approved and in operation after 10 September 1993 and before 10 September 1995 modified or eliminated constraints related to credentialing requirements, labor contracts, district administrative procedures, and state education code provisions. Methodology. This study used descriptive and ex post facto research methods. The instrument developed by McCune was revised and administered to 54 charter schools that had commenced operation after 10 September 1993 and before 10 September 1995. Forty-one schools completed the survey, yielding a 76 percent response rate. Statistical tests used were the nonparametric binomial test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov two-sample test, the $\\\\chi\\\\sp2$ for two independent samples, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Findings and conclusions. There was a 76 percent response rate to the survey. The majority of the charter schools studied implemented changes in education code provisions, district administrative procedures, and labor contracts. The charter schools that opened in the last two years are significantly more likely to have implemented changes than were schools surveyed two years ago. The largest obstacles to reform were unions, district administrators, the California Department of Education, and district superintendents. Recommendations. Expand the number and types of organizations that can sponsor charter schools. Provide funding directly to the charter schools. Encourage organized labor to embrace charter schools as a vehicle for strengthening teacher professionalism. Failing that, reduce the capacity of unions to restrict charter development.