Lindalyn Kakadelis disputes the finding of the much touted report by Robert Bifulco and Helen Ladd (“Results from the Tar Heel State”)
that decries the ability of charter schools in the state to make marked
gains in student achievement.  Her article was published in the Education Next quarterly publication, with an add-on by Craig Newmark, Associate Professor of Economics at NCSU and author of a JLF Policy Report which argues that the data shows that the state’s charter schools are helping students succeed.  On the ground in the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district, Kakadelis organized a “field
trip” for Eric Davis, member of the Bond Oversight Committee, and Harry Jones,
County Manager to visit two Charter schools. They toured the facilities
& asked questions regarding design and construction cost. At Union
Academy they met with the Chairman of the building committee and the
headmaster regarding the construction of their school. They also met
with the construction company that handles all construction nationally
for National Heritage Academies.  Also noteworthy is the recent decision by the State Board of Education to ease teacher-licensing rules for out-of-state teachers.