– U.S. News & World Report names Raleigh Charter High School one of the nation’s best high schools.

– A new National Bureau of Economic Research study of Boston charter schools finds positive student achievement gains. “Estimates using student assignment lotteries show large and significant test score gains for charter lottery winners in middle and high school.” Charter schools may also close the achievement gap. “Our estimated charter school effects are large enough to reduce the black-white reading gap in middle school by two-thirds.”

– Policy Analyst Brooke Terry of the Texas Public Policy Foundation found that nearly 41,000 students are on waiting lists to attend public charter schools in Texas.

– The charter school movement continues to grow, despite obstacles from unions, public school advocacy groups, and so-called “progressives.”

– 60 Minutes profiles the remarkable Harlem Children’s Zone charter school.

– The Obama administration appeases union bosses by easing charter school expansion mandates under the federal “Race to the Top” taxpayer cash giveaway.