" One of] the best books on schools and schooling to cross oureditors' desks this year." --The American School Board Journal, August 1997 Award-winning former public school educator Joe Nathan draws fromnationwide surveys, research, and visits to dozens of charterschools to address key questions about charter schools. Who startsthese schools? What kinds of students attAnd? Are charter schoolsusing ideas and techniques from which other schools can learn? Arethese schools actually helping students? Are charter schools makingan impact on the larger educational system?