View of the Study

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

View of the Study INFORMATION TO USERS The most advanced technology has been used to photo­ graph and reproduce this manuscript from the microfilm master. UMI films the original text directly from the copy submitted. Thus, some dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from a computer printer. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyrighted material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are re­ produced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each oversize page is available as one exposure on a standard 35 mm slide or as a 17" x 23" black and white photographic print for an additional charge. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. 35 mm slides or 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. 1 Accessing theUMI World’s Information since 1938 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA Order Number 8824597 The role of metaphor in comprehension processes Robertson, Carolyn Seils, Ph.D. The Ohio State University, 1988 Copyright ©1988 by Robertson, Carolyn Seils. All rights reserved. UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a checkV . mark 1. Glossy photographs or _____pages 2. Colored illustrations, paper or______ print 3. Photographs with dark background , 4. Illustrations are poor copy______ 5. Pages with black marks, not original______ copy 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides_______ of p ag e 7. Indistinct, broken or small print on several^ pages 8. Print exceeds margin requirements______ 9. Tightly bound copy with print lost_______ in spine 10. Computer printout pages with indistinct______ print 11. Page(s)___________ lacking when material received, and not available from school or author. 193 12. Page(s) seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows. 13. Two pages num bered . Text follows. 14. Curling and wrinkled pages______ 15. Dissertation contains pages with print at a slant, filmed as received_________ 16. Other______________________________________________________________________ UMI THE ROLE OF METAPHOR IN COMPREHENSION PROCESSES DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Carolyn Seils Robertson, B.A., M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 1988 Dissertation Committee Approved by V. Rentel J. Green F. Zidonis Copyright by Carolyn Seils Robertson 1988 To Mike, Annie, and Mark ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I express sincere appreciation to Dr. Victor M. Rentel for his thoughtful guidance throughout the process of conceptualizing and carrying out the study. Despite his very busy schedule, he was always there when I needed to discuss one or another aspect of the work. Thanks go to the other members of my advisory committee, Drs. Judith L. Green and Frank Zidonis, for the time they spend reading my work and talking with me about it. Their suggestions helped shape the direction of my thought. I am grateful to many members of the Denison University community, as well. Drs. Keith Boone, Dennis Read, Kenneth Klatt, Tony Stoneburner, Kenneth Marshall, Janet Freeman, George Gilbert, Julie Mulroy, and Bonnie Lamvermeyer participated in the process of creating the experimental materials and the criteria for scoring them. Drs. Kenneth Marshall, Dennis Read, Tommy Burkett, Janet Freeman, Ronald Santoni, Judith Cochran, Dominic Consolo, William Nichols, James Freeman, Quentin Kraft, Tony Stoneburner, Garrett Jacobsen, and Richard Tobin allowed their students to participate, some in the preliminary study and some in the study reported here. The students were enthusiastic and careful participants. Dr. Rita Snyder provided assistance in the use of SPSS-X and valuable moral support. iii The members of the Denison Education Department were helpful to me in many important ways. Dr. Thomas Gallant, Jane King, Barbara Bruner, and Jane Richardson were unfailingly encouraging. Jane Richardson assisted by typing and producing the final copy. I thank my husband, Mike, my children, Annie and Mark, and the other members of my family for understanding my need to pursue this work and for their faith in me. VITA / June 16, 1948....................... 0...Born - Newton, Massachusetts 1970.................................... B.A., Denison University, Granville, Ohio 1972-1979...............................Teacher of English, Newark Public Schools, Newark, Ohio 1976.................................... M.A., Reading and Language, College of Education, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 1979-1987...... .............. .......... Assistant Dean for Educational Services and Instructor, Education Department, Denison University, Granville, Ohio 1987-present............................Instructor, Education Department, Denison University, Granville, Ohio PUBLICATIONS Robertson, L. & Russell, K. (1986). Teaching analytical reading and writing: a feminist approach. Teaching Philosophy, 9 (3), 207-217. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Reading v TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................ iii VITA........................................................... v LIST OF TABLES................................................. ix LIST OF FIGURES................................................ xi CHAPTER PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION......................................... 1 Statement of the Problem....................... 3 Definition of the Problem...................... 4 Overview of the Study.......................... 5 Scope and Limitations of the Study............. 7 Organization of the Study. .................. 8 2. THEORIES OF COMPREHENSION .......................... 9 Transactional Theory........................... 9 Response Theory................................ 11 Schema Theory............. 14 The Connection to a Philosophical Interpretation................................. 18 3. THEORIES AND STUDIES OF METAPHOR.................... 20 Theories of Metaphor........................... 20 Interaction Theory and Transactional Theory.......................................... 22 Conclusion..................................... 25 Studies of Metaphor............................ 26 Developmental Studies...................... 26 Studies of the Processes Adults Use in Comprehending Metaphors................ 32 Stage Models.................... 32 Salience of Attributes..................... 34 Effects of Context......................... 36 The Effect of Metaphor on Recall.......... 37 The Effect of Metaphor on Comprehension.... 40 The Effects of Instruction on the Ability to Use Metaphor........... 41 Conclusion..................................... 42 4. THE PROBLEM AND THE METHODOLOGY 43 Methodology........ 43 Part 1....................... 45 Part 2.......................................... 47 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.............................. 49 Part 1.......................................... 49 Honors Students.................... 51 Freshman Studies Students........ 56 Summary Data............................... 56 Memory Data................................ 57 Total Data...................... 60 Faculty Readers................ 65 The Metaphor Condition..................... 66 The Literal Condition....... 67 The Neither Condition...................... 68 Conclusion................................. 69 Part II......................................... 70 The Genetic Code Paragraph..................... 72 The Metaphor Condition....................... 72 The Literal Condition........................ 85 The Neither Condition........................ 98 The Artificial Paragraph........ ........ 100 The Literary Paragraph ........... 104 The Metaphor Condition....................... 104 The Literal Condition........................ 105 The Neither Condition........................ 105 6. INTERPRETATION, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH................................. 107 Interpretation and Conclusions................. 107 Implications for Further Study................. 116 APPENDICES A. Experimental Materials............................. 119 General Directions, Part I.......................... 120 Metaphor Condition, Part 1..................... 121 Literal Condition, Part 1...................... 127 Neither Condition, Part 1...................... 133 Criteria for Scoring....................... 139 Science Paragraph........................ 139 Artificial Paragraph..................... 140 Literary Paragraph....................... 141 vii General Directions, Fart II.............. 142 Metaphor Condition, Part II.................... 143 Literal Condition, Part II.................... 150 Neither Condition, Part II..................... 157 Criteria for Scoring....................... 164 Science Paragraph........................ 164 Artificial Paragraph............... 165 Literary Paragraph....................... 166 B. Diagrams of Oral Reponses to the Literary Paragraph.................................... 167 LIST OF REFERENCES............................................
Recommended publications
  • Course Catalog
    UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT CATALOG OF COURSES 2014-2015 Catalog of Courses 5 201 - UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY 2014 NEW LONDON, CT OURSES C ALOG OF AT C U. S. Coast Guard Academy Reservation of Rights his Catalog primarily reflects information regarding the Cadet Under- Tgraduate Program for the Class of 2017. The statements set forth in this catalog are for informational purposes only and may not be construed as the basis of a contract between a cadet and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Any conflict between this catalog and the applica- ble statutes or regulations shall be resolved by reference to language of the statute or regulation only. The Academy reserves the right to change programs of study, academic requirements, course offerings, regulations, teaching staff, Critical Dates Cal- endar, and other matters described in the catalog without prior notice, in accor- dance with established procedures. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy endeavors to maintain the accuracy of all information provided in this catalog. However, it is the responsibility of the cadets to be aware of the current regulations, cur- riculum, and graduation requirements for their class and chosen major. Human Relations Statement The United States Coast Guard Academy is an equal opportunity employer guided by applicable Federal laws and regulations. The Academy is committed to the principles of fair treatment and equal opportunity. We recruit, educate, train and employ personnel based on merit so that each individual can excel and reach his or her maximum potential without regard to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, reprisal, sexual orientation and/or where applicable, age (over 40) and/or physical or mental disability.
    [Show full text]
  • Platform HD 2010: Towards a People’S Multilateralism
    Platform HD 2010: Towards a People’s Multilateralism Co-convened by UNDP and PRIA (Participatory Research in Asia) Bangkok, 30-31 August 2010: Summary Report 1 Section I. Background and Introduction The year 2010 is the 20th anniversary of the launch of the UNDP Human Development Report (HDR), the ten-year review of the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the Beijing+15. These reviews are taking place in the face of financial crisis, food insecurity, climate change challenges, violation of political and human rights and the failure of governance institutions to tackle persistent poverty, inequality and social exclusion. Against this background, the UNDP Civil Society Division, through the Platform HD 2010 initiative, seeks to forge multifaceted partnerships between the United Nations, civil society and other actors to address the converging food, financial and climate crises at a time when the institutions responsible for global governance are being transformed by the emergence of new actors and alliances. Platform HD2010 was launched in June 2009 by the Civil Society Division in the Partnerships Bureau of UNDP, with support from the MDG Achievement Fund. The idea behind it is two-fold: to foster and expand ongoing debates on a citizen-centred or people’s multilateralism, and revitalize UN(DP) engagement with civil society in rethinking human development and advancing the MDGs.1 Both objectives have acquired a fresh urgency in the context of the crises, now known as the four ‘Fs’-- food, finance, fuel and fiscal – which call for new forms of governance at the local, national, regional and global levels.
    [Show full text]
  • Inaugural Hon. Joseph W. Bellacosa Distinguished Jurist-In-Residence
    St. John's Law Review Volume 81 Number 4 Volume 81, Fall 2007, Number 4 Article 1 Inaugural Hon. Joseph W. Bellacosa Distinguished Jurist-In- Residence Lecture Hon. Judith S. Kaye Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.stjohns.edu/lawreview This Speech is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in St. John's Law Review by an authorized editor of St. John's Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INAUGURAL HON. JOSEPH W. BELLACOSA DISTINGUISHED JURIST-IN-RESIDENCE LECTURE HON. JUDITH S. KAYEt This lecture begins with a tribute to the students, faculty, and administration here at St. John's, who have given me a truly remarkable and memorable day, crammed from beginning to end with thoughtful, stimulating questions and conversations: about justice, about lawyers and courts, and, in particular, about the Court of Appeals.1 And I am of course most grateful to the catalyst for this special day, my beloved former Court of Appeals colleague and forever friend, Judge Joseph Bellacosa. You have no more devoted alumnus. Indeed, in all his transmogrifications-lawyer, Clerk of the Court of Appeals, Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York, Judge of the Court of Appeals, Dean of St. John's University School of Law, Professor, Commission Chair, Trustee, author, commentator, colleague, friend, and sports fan--Joseph W. Bellacosa is one of a kind. He is a scholar, profound thinker, prodigious researcher, a facile writer in any language, and downright fun.
    [Show full text]
  • A Year in Review 2018
    A YEAR IN REVIEW 2018 LLP Falling Flowers Bass, mahogany, painted steel This sculpture by American artist James Surls creates a dramatic focal point to the atrium in Dechert’s New York City office 2 DECHERT LLP Political, regulatory and economic change posed significant challenges to our clients and their businesses in 2018. We’ve had the honor of representing new and long-standing clients in matters that have engaged the full scope of our talents as a firm – our knowledge, our experience and the collaborative spirit we draw on when coming together as a global team to find answers to the most demanding questions. As we’ve helped our clients achieve success, our firm has grown in many ways, including the number of professionals, the depth of our talent and the scope and complexity of the work we do. In the pages ahead we highlight a selection of matters that shaped 2018 and helped to define our year. In some, we saw years of litigation come to an end with definitive wins for our clients. In many, we broke new ground and achieved results that will have far-reaching impact on the industries in which we work. We’ve also made a difference through our enduring commitment to pro bono. Dechert lawyers completed more than 85,000 hours of pro bono in 2018, serving local communities and providing vital assistance to those most in need. Dechert entered 2019 with an international team of 1,000 lawyers, the result of a strategic effort to develop our core practices and expand our global community.
    [Show full text]
  • GODIAC – Good Practice for Dialogue and Communication As Strategic Principles for Policing Political Manifestations in Europe
    Recommendations for policing political manifestations in Europe GODIAC – Good practice for dialogue and communication as strategic principles for policing political manifestations in Europe With the fi nancial support from the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union European Commission-Directorate- General Home Affairs. HOME/2009/ISEC/AG/182 The Booklet 2 The Booklet 3 Preface This booklet on recommendations for policing polit- The main target group for the booklet is police ical manifestations in Europe forms part of the ‘Good commanders, researchers and trainers that come in practice for dialogue and communication as strategic to contact with and police political manifestations. principles for policing political manifestations in Europe’ The project co-ordinator was the Swedish National (GODIAC) project. The booklet is one of four docu- Police Board. There were twenty partner organisa- ments produced by the GODIAC project. The other tions in twelve European countries. These consisted documents include a handbook on the the user-fo- of twelve police organisations and eight research/edu- cused peer-review evaluation method, a researcher cational organisations. anthology and ten individual fi eld study reports. The project ran between 1st August 2010 until 31st The purpose of the project was to identify and July 2013 with grateful fi nancial support provided by spread good practice in relation to dialogue and com- the Prevention and Fight against Crime Programme munication as strategic principles in managing and of the European Commission-Directorate-General preventing public disorder at political manifestations Home Affairs and the Swedish National Police Board. in order to uphold fundamental human rights and Our aim and aspiration is that the material pro- to increase public safety at these events in general.
    [Show full text]
  • A Jewish Law Perspective Steven H
    Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy Volume 14 Article 12 Issue 1 Symposium on Ethics February 2014 The Attorney-Client Relationship: A Jewish Law Perspective Steven H. Resnicoff Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndjlepp Recommended Citation Steven H. Resnicoff, The Attorney-Client Relationship: A Jewish Law Perspective, 14 Notre Dame J.L. Ethics & Pub. Pol'y 349 (2000). Available at: http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndjlepp/vol14/iss1/12 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy at NDLScholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy by an authorized administrator of NDLScholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP: A JEWISH LAW PERSPECTIVE STEVEN H. RESNICOFF* Professors Thomas L. Shaffer and Robert F. Cochran, Jr., describe four models for approaching moral choices in the attor- ney-client context.1 These paradigms portray the practitioner as (1) godfather, (2) hired gun, (3) guru, or (4) friend. They prin- cipally differ as to the extent to which the attorney, rather than the client, controls the relationship and the degree to which the interests of persons other than the 2 client are considered important. As godfather, the lawyer perceives the client's narrowly defined interests as paramount and does "whatever it takes," irre- spective of the impact on others, to promote such interests. The godfather attorney pursues this path without even consulting the client concerning ethical qualms. The hired gun approach simi- larly accepts the client's interests as the sole barometer of suc- cess.
    [Show full text]
  • Buying Local: Diverging Consumer Motivations and Concerns
    Journal of Agribusiness 35, 1 (Spring 2017) © Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia Human Capital, Workplace Violence, and Human Resource Management in Agribusiness: Review and Recommendations David D. Van Fleet Human capital is an important resource in agribusiness—maybe the most important. To be competitive in the use and development of human capital, the costs and consequences of workplace violence must be reduced. Agribusinesses must produce goods and services that provide value while, at the same time, assuring healthy, safe work environments. However, that has been limited due to a paucity of research as to the extent, types, and causes of workplace violence in agribusiness. This article identifies what can be done and illuminates areas in need of research to better understand, detect, and prevent workplace violence in agribusiness. Key words: Human capital, human resource management, practice, research, safe workplace, workplace violence In their efforts to obtain a competitive advantage, managers increasingly recognize that the resources most important to an organization’s success are its human resources (Lyons and Conley, 2012; Mugera, 2012; Chacko, Wacker, and Asar, 1997). Yet one of the more threatening human capital issues in any business, including agribusiness, is workplace violence, which can have devastating effects on the productivity of organizations and on the quality of life of employees (U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 2001). Protecting and developing human capital has been proffered, therefore, as
    [Show full text]
  • Undergraduate Catalog 2013-2014 NOTICE
    undergraduate catalog 2013-2014 NOTICE The Undergraduate Catalog of Caldwell College is a document of record issued for a one-year period. It contains, to the extent possible, current information concerning the college calendar, admissions and degree requirements, fees, regulations and course offerings. The Catalog does not constitute a contract between the College and an accepted applicant. Students are advised that the information contained in this Catalog is subject to change at the sole discretion of the College, which reserves the right to add, amend, or repeal any of its regulations, policies, and programs, in whole or in part, at any time. In any such case, the College will give appropriate notice as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances. Students are expected to have knowledge of the information presented in this publication, the student handbook, and in other college publications, as well as officially posted notices. Failure to read the Undergraduate Catalog does not excuse students from the regulations contained within. Caldwell College 120 Bloomfield Avenue Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 973-618-3000 Fax: 973-618-3600 Caldwell College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education 3624 Market Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 Telephone: 267-284-5000 1 TABLE TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS The College The Campus . .10 Admissions . .11 International Admissions . .14 Student Expenses . .15 Fees . .16 Financial Aid . .17 Student Services Student Services . .28 Athletics . .30 Campus Residence . .31 Clubs & Organizations . .32 Traditions of Caldwell College . .33 Student Conduct Standards . .35 Alumni Association . .37 Friends of Caldwell College . .38 Academics Programs of Study . .40 Special Programs .
    [Show full text]
  • Rare Books Lib
    RARE BOOKS LIB. The University of Sydney Copyright and use of this thesis This thesis must be used in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Reproduction of material protected by copyright may be an infringement of copyright and copyright owners may be entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. Section 51 (2) of the Copyright Act permits an authorized officer of a university library or archives to provide a copy (by communication or otherwise) of an unpublished thesis kept in the library or archives, to a person who satisfies the authorized officer that he or she requires the reproduction for the purposes of research or study. The Copyright Act grants the creator of a work a number of moral rights, specifically the right of attribution, the right against false attribution and the right of integrity. You may infringe the author's moral rights if you: • fail to acknowledge the author of this thesis if you quote sections from the work • attribute this thesis to another author • subject this thesis to derogatory treatment which may prejudice the author's reputation For further information contact the University's Director of Copyright Services Telephone: 02 9351 29911 e-mail: [email protected] FAIR GO. Cleo magazine as popular feminism in 1970s Australia M. J. Le Masurier A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Media and Communications School of Letters, Arts and Media University of Sydney December 2007 1 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORSHIP jORIGINALITY I certify that the work in this thesis has not previously been submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree except as fully acknowledged within the text.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Land Management Agencies' Mandatory Appropriations
    Federal Land Management Agencies’ Mandatory Appropriations Accounts Carol Hardy Vincent, Coordinator Specialist in Natural Resources Policy Laura B. Comay Specialist in Natural Resources Policy R. Eliot Crafton Analyst in Natural Resources Policy Katie Hoover Specialist in Natural Resources Policy November 5, 2019 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R45994 SUMMARY R45994 Federal Land Management Agencies’ November 5, 2019 Mandatory Appropriations Accounts Carol Hardy Vincent, Management of lands and resources is a principal mission for four federal agencies—the Coordinator Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Forest Service Specialist in Natural (FS), and National Park Service (NPS). Most of the appropriations for these agencies Resources Policy come from discretionary appropriations enacted by Congress through annual [email protected] appropriations laws. However, each of the agencies also receives mandatory Laura B. Comay appropriations under provisions of authorizing statutes enacted by Congress. Under Specialist in Natural these laws, the agencies spend money without further action by Congress. Resources Policy [email protected] A number of issues arise for Congress in deciding the type of appropriations to provide R. Eliot Crafton and the terms and conditions of appropriations. One consideration is whether mandatory Analyst in Natural (rather than discretionary) appropriations best suit the purposes of the program or Resources Policy activity and Congress’s role in authorizing, appropriating, and conducting oversight. [email protected] Another question is how to fund any mandatory appropriation—namely, whether Katie Hoover through general government collections (in the General Fund of the Treasury) or through Specialist in Natural a specific collection (e.g., from a particular activity or tax).
    [Show full text]
  • Critical Philosophy of Halakha (Jewish Law): the Justification of Halakhic Norms And
    Critical Philosophy of Halakha (Jewish Law): The Justification of Halakhic Norms and Authority Yonatan Yisrael Brafman Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2014 © 2014 Yonatan Yisrael Brafman All rights reserved ABSTRACT Critical Philosophy of Halakha (Jewish Law): The Justification of Halakhic Norms and Authority Yonatan Brafman Contemporary conflicts over such issues as abortion, same-sex marriage, circumcision, and veiling highlight the need for renewed reflection on the justification of religious norms and authority. While abstract investigation of these questions is necessary, inquiry into them is not foreign to religious traditions. Philosophical engagement with these traditions of inquiry is both intellectually and practically advantageous. This does not demand, however, that these discussions be conducted within a discourse wholly internal to a particular religious tradition; dialogue between a religious tradition and philosophical reflection can be created that is mutually beneficial. To that end, this dissertation explores a central issue in philosophy of halakha (Jewish law): the relation between the justification of halakhic norms and halakhic-legal practice. A central component of philosophy of halakha is the project of ta’amei ha-mitzvot (the reasons for the commandments). Through such inquiry, Jewish thinkers attempt to demonstrate the rationality of Jewish religious practice by offering reasons for halakhic norms. At its best, it not only seeks to justify halakhic norms but also elicits sustained reflection on issues in moral philosophy, including justification and normativity. Still, there is a tendency among its practitioners to attempt to separate this project from halakhic-legal practice.
    [Show full text]
  • Charter School Laws 2012 Ranking & Scorecard
    THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CHARTER SCHOOL LAW 2012 NATIONAL RANKING AND SCORECARD CER’s 13th annual analysis of charter school laws across the states documents the conditions for effective laws that support the growth and success of these proven models of public schooling. The 2012 report analyzes each law against nationally recognized benchmarks that most closely dictate the impact of charter school policies on healthy, sustainable charter schools. Components such as the creation of multiple independent authorizers and fiscal equity can transform a state’s educational culture. States that do so include Washington, DC, Minnesota and Indiana. The lack of components that ensure operational freedom, equity and alternate paths to authorizing limits charter progress and often leads to contentious charter battles. States such as Virginia and Georgia are notable in this category. The national GPA of 2.1 – a ‘C’ – on state charter school laws is a result of states having earned five A grades, ten Bs, fifteen Cs, eight Ds and four Fs. Categories ranked include: the existence of multiple independent authorizers, number of schools allowed, operational autonomy, and fiscal equity when compared to their conventional public school peers. For more information on these categories, our methodology, and scoring system, please go to our website, http://www.edreform.com. Charter schools are permitted in 41 states and the District of Columbia, serving nearly 2 million students, and engaging more than 5 million adults in the creation and execution of these independent, high quality public schools. While success and accountability is apparent, not all states have the conditions necessary in law to ensure schools have the tools to succeed.
    [Show full text]