Areas which face a lack of school facilities should investigate the possibility of allowing private businesses to operate satellite charter schools, says a new study from the Reason Public Policy Institute. Such "workplace" schools offer a number of advantages, aside from alleviating overcrowding.

Unfortunately laws in almost every state must first be changed before companies can establish such schools.

• With the exception of Florida, every state prohibits charter schools from offering "targeted enrollment" -- that is, admitting only certain children.
• This prohibition must be removed if private companies are to be allowed to reserve enrollment for employees' children.
• Advocates note that workplaces tend to be more diverse than neighborhoods -- providing a setting with more cultural and economic diversity than traditional schools.
• According to the study, satellite learning center pupils tend to score higher on standardized tests than traditional school students.

One advantage to firms offering such facilities is that it helps them attract and retain valued workers.

Source: Richard Seder, "Satellite Charter Schools: Addressing the School-Facilities Crunch Through Public-Private Partnerships," Policy Study 256, April 1999; Reason Public Policy Institute, 3415 So. Sepulveda Boulevard., Suite 400, Los Angeles, Calif. 90034; (310) 391-2245.

For more on Charter Schools http://www.ncpa.org/pi/edu/edu3.html#c

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