Georgia conversion charter schools: an analysis of the conversions and reversions of charter schools

This research documents the charter school phenomenon occurring in state of Georgia. This study investigates and identifies why conversion charter schools revert back to the traditional public school models and explores what the consequences may be when conversion charter schools unconvert. Qualitative interview methodology is used to identify the factors of influence for the conversion and reversion of Georgia charter schools, which allows the why and how questions to be posed within a real-life context. Consistent with qualitative study methodology, interview, document analysis, and data analysis and interpretation were used to gather data in my research Data collection includes six interviews with state officials, district and school leaders, and document analysis. This investigation of Georgia conversion charter schools results in three primary findings: (1) The intent for many conversion charter schools in Georgia is more monetary than actual needs based. (2) Conversion charter schools are realizing that there are other avenues of flexibility available. (3) Conversion charter schools are not true charter schools, thus, few, if any, changes are made when a reversion occurs.