本文以對美國教育影響深遠的三個核心價值－公平(equity)、卓越(excellence)、自由(liberty)，為一整合性架構的三個基石，並以之對照於特許學校(charter school)的三個基本理念－教育機會平等(equal educational opportunity)、教育績效責任(accountability)教育選擇權利(choice)，進而聯結雙方，組合而成一個有助深入了解美國特許學校的複合三角關聯模式(compound-triangular model)。然後根據此一關聯式，依序探討公平與卓越、卓越與自由、自由與公平兩兩之間對特許學校三大理念的正反立論依據。研究發現，在特許學校的系絡中(context)，公平、卓越、自由三個核心價值彼此糾葛牽扯，其觸角延伸至經濟、政治、文化、社會、教育等議題。其中，政治明顯躍居關鍵地位，牢牢掌控三核心價值間的互動，並攸關特許學校的興衰成敗。本文最後強調，國內教育行政人員，當深入了解教育與三大核心價值的互動關係，並清楚體認教育與政治密不可分的本質。唯有如此，在其制定、執行教育政策或教育改革的過程中，方能以更寬廣的視野、更全面的思維、更包容的胸襟、更積極的策略來折衝各方爭議，調和多元價值，兼顧理想現實，建立彼此共識，從而確保決策品質，提高執行成效。

By contrasting three core values that profoundly affect American education-equity, excellence and liberty, with three fundamental ideals of charter schools-equal education opportunity, accountability and choice, this paper attempts to integrate both sides into a coherent compound-triangular model for a better understanding of charter schools. Based on the compound-triangular model, positive and negative arguments concerning charter schools between equity and excellence, liberty and excellence, as well as equity and liberty, are explored in-depth. As a result, major findings indicate the three core values are intertwined within the charter school context, involving the issues of economics, politics, culture, society, and education. Among them, politics not only plays a critical role in controlling interaction between the three core values, but is closely related to the charter schools’ success as well. This paper concludes by emphasizing that educational administrators need to be aware of dynamic relationships between the three core values and recognize the politics of education to ensure quality decision making and enhance the effectiveness of implementation.