Giving Compass' Take:

• According to this article, charter schools that offer an alternative style of instruction have very little, if any, effect on student performance at nearby public schools. 

• By better understanding the relationship between operational costs and location, as well as the influence of different types of charter schools, policymakers will be able to craft policies that are in the best interests of all students.

• Here's another article on charter schools and school segregation. 

There is new research suggests that maximizing any benefits requires a careful examination of charter schools’ organization and the policies that influence their location.

Charter schools receive government funding, yet operate independently of state school systems and local districts. While proponents have long argued that charter schools have a positive impact on district schools by creating competition, the empirical evidence has been mixed.

John Singleton, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Rochester, wanted to know if the potential effects varied according to the type of charter school.

In one study, he looked at those that offer alternative styles of instruction, such as experiential and project-based learning. Examples include Montessori schools, characterized by mixed-age classrooms, student self-assessment, and increased freedoms for students.

Read the full article about charter schools impact on public schools by Peter Iglinski at Futurity.