Earley, PenelopeTogno, Nicole M2018-10-222018-10-222017https://hdl.handle.net/1920/11195Reform efforts and policy initiatives aiming to improve academic outcomes for traditionally disadvantaged students abound in the education market. The purpose of this study is to examine the popular reform movement of charter schools to probe the sociopolitical trade-off between equity and efficiency. From a social perspective, the charter school movement reflects the desire to address persistent inequities in educational opportunities. From a political perspective, however, charters reflect dominant themes in education policy, including that of privatization, localized control, economic growth, and accountability (Linick & Lubienski, 2013; McGee & Mutchler, 1998; Timar & Tyack, 1999). Research questions were developed to explore the tensions between equity, as demonstrated through the social justice issue exclusionary discipline, and efficiency, as demonstrated through achievement, as they play out in the charter school sector of the education market.162 pagesenCopyright 2017 Nicole M TognoEducation policyCharter management organizationCharter schoolEfficiencyEquityMarket reformStudent disciplineDissertation