Research question formulation
Charter school was one of the main component of the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ which was created in 2002 (Shober, 2006). These schools serve as an alternative education and are managed independently of the public school system of its location (Shober, 2006). They are non- profit with there main aim being to enable all students with rights to education. Charter school legislation was first adopted in Minnesota in the year 1991. Currently, Minnesota has registered 165 charter schools which serve more than 41,000 students. Since then many states have adopted the charter school Act and as it stands 2.9 million students in the United States are currently enrolled in 6,700 charter schools in the United States. Canada, on the other hand, adopted the charter schools Act in 1994 and established their first charter schools in 1995 in Alberta. By the year 2010, Alberta was still the only province in Canada that had adopted this Act and had 22 charter schools being operated by 13 charter schools management.
What factors have contributed to Charter schools popularity in the United States as compared to Canada?
The above research question is essential as it will help to unleash the contributing factors of the Charter schools popularity in the United States and its lack of popularity in Canada.
Research strategy
In answering the main research question, the study aims at reading pre-existing work of other related research done on Charter schools. A small background of the study on the Charter school will be necessary. This will form the basis from which the literature review can be written and a gap identified for the specific study. Critical analysis of the Charter school proponents view on this school will give the relevant facts necessary to respond to the question. It would be essential also to read on other forms of schools such as private schools, public schools, and home schooling (Denscombe, 2012). This is aimed at making a comparison between these schools and the charter schools. It would provide a background knowledge to identify the advantage of each and then so as to understand parents and students preference with regards to schools. It is important to give a list of assumptions that the proposal holds (Ogden 2002). Since it is not possible to be sure about things such as the honesty of respondents, it is necessary just to make an assumption and carry on with the proposal.
Since a research proposal is usually aimed at finally conduct a research, there will be a need to carry out a quantitative and qualitative study to obtain data regarding the research question. Tools for research including questionnaires, introduction letters, and permits are also required to carry out the research. This will make it efficient and effective to carry out the research and finally draw conclusions. Findings from the research will then be qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed and presented in charts and graphs as necessary. Having analyzed the research findings, it will be possible to draw a conclusion from the hypothesis.
Annotated bibliography
Crouch, E. (2011, Aug 14). Charter schools show inconsistent results. McClatchy - Tribune Business News Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/883263866?accountid=45049
The article by Crouch (2011) is a masterpiece that provides significant knowledge concerning the failure of charter schools in any given region. The article shows that even though charter schools have had more stories of success, there are still inconsistent results that overshadows its significance within the studied region. As the result, this forms a platform for speculating whether the inconsistency in results depicted by the case of charter schools in Kansas city could be the major cause of less popularity witnessed in Canada.
Brock- Nelson, Linda Voss (1998). Arizona and California charter schools: A comparative study. USA: Dissertations publishers
This source provides knowledge on Charter schools and some of the differences they have. It will also act as a guide in making comparisons between Canadian Charter schools and United States Charter schools. The comparative study therein gives characteristics of the different regions, which can then be studied to see how they might affect popularity of charter schools.
Buckley, J., & Schneider, M. (2009). Charter schools: Hope or hype?. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press.
The article written by Buckley and Schneider (2009) provides a framework for evaluating success of Charter schools in any given regions. The two researchers present both side of the case, by illustrating the cause of success and the possible causes of failures of Charter schools. As the result, this presents a platform for developing a comparative study between the case of USA, which can be associated to hope for Charter, and Canada, which can be represented as a case of hype.
Shober, Arnold F; Manna, Paul; Witte, John F. (Nov 2006). Flexibility Meets Accountability: State Charter School Laws and Their Influence on the Formation of Charter Schools in the United States. Policy Studies Journal34.4: 563-587.
With this source it will possible to determine the Charter Schools legislation in United States and its effect on Charter schools admission. Given that United States is project as a region where charter schools have succeeded, this study presents a chance for determining the reason for success. The researchers give more information regarding the success of school laws in terms of their influence on formation of charter schools. As the result, this allows a researcher to compare the case of Canada to the aforementioned case and thereby get the reasons for the depicted failure.
Thomas, P. L. (2012). Ignoring poverty in the U.S: The corporate takeover of public education. Charlotte, N.C: Information Age Pub., Inc.
This source provides answers on the difference between charter school in United States and in Canada. It shows the strategies put forward by United States in ensuring there is success of Charter schools. The strategies used therein can be compared to those use by Canada.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is true that findings, theories, concepts and facts start with a simple research question which someone decides to investigate. Good knowledge about the field of proposed research is important. Reading a lot of related literature before coming up with the objectives is important as it help in identifying the gap. Research requires three main resources which are time, knowledge and money.
References
Brock- Nelson, Linda Voss (1998). Arizona and California charter schools: A comparative study. USA: Dissertations publishers
Denscombe, M. (2012). Research proposals: A practical guide. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Shannon M. (2013). Teachers unpacking perception and resilience University of Pennsylvania: ProQuest Dissertations publishing, 35922314
Thomas, P. L. (2012). Ignoring poverty in the U.S: The corporate takeover of public education. Charlotte, N.C: Information Age Pub., Inc.
Buckley, J., & Schneider, M. (2009). Charter schools: Hope or hype?. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press.
Crouch, E. (2011, Aug 14). Charter schools show inconsistent results. McClatchy - Tribune Business News Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/883263866?accountid=45049
