When new charter schools open, how do they impact traditional public schools in the same district? Charter opponents claim they increase district costs and alter student composition at traditional schools, while proponents claim they drive competition, efficiency, and force positive change.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis researcher Christian Buerger recently led a study to find out who was right. He joins CPRE Director Jonathan Supovitz to discuss his findings, which include some noteworthy short- and long-term impacts on traditional schools.

Featured research: Christian Buerger,Robert Bifulco. “The effect of charter schools on districts’ student composition, costs, and efficiency: The case of New York state.” Economics of Education Review, April 2019