In this chapter, Jon Christensen, Jacqueline Meijer-Irons, and Robin Lake lay out the basic data on charter school growth from 2004-2009. They examine the growth and character of the charter movement over this period to examine how quickly the charter sector continues to grow and whether it serves the country’s neediest children. Rumors of the demise of charter schools were premature, they conclude: charter growth has been robust and consistent, and charters are serving some of the most disadvantaged populations in their communities.
