Charter schools have become a leading alternative to traditional public education, where children of color have historically experienced low academic performance and dismal results on state-mandated testing. Whether these institutions are, in fact, the answer to what ails education is a matter of debate. Those who support charter schools point to the flexibility these institutions have to create more comprehensive, student-focused curricula that caters to the learning styles of the students being served. As a result, students experience more academic and personal success. Opponents argue that charter schools are nothing more than band-aids for an even bigger problem, namely the demographics that continue to divide students along color lines. Without major reform, the disparity between racial groups will grow even wider, fueled by the segregation being caused by charter schools. Regardless of these debates, there can be no question that the charter movement has changed the meaning of education for students who would otherwise be left behind.