Charters, Part I

I won't hesitate to say that there are charters, like the majority of traditional public schools, that do an excellent job of educating young people. There are also charters, like some public schools, that don't perform well. However, given the relatively short lifespan of charters, the verdict is still out.

What I can tell you is that there are many aspects of charters that present problems and, going forward, I believe they will become more apparent in the coming years.

One of the issues that most people will find confusing deals with the manner in which charters are organized. To start with, the different states have to give their approval for a certain number of charters to be created. Given the fact that a state sanctions the charter, the school develops a contract.

In exchange for this arrangement, depending on the state, many of the requirements made of tradtional public schools are dropped for the charter.

Though the state is the agency that allows charter schools, who issues the charter is the next critical issue and this is where things can get messy. Schools may have a charter issued by local school districts, universities/colleges, a non-profit corporation or a for-profit company. For example, in Maryland, only a local school district may issue a charter. No other entity can perform this function. In Arkansas charters are issued by the State Board of Education. In some states all of the above agencies may have the ability to issue charters.

Talk about confusion! I have real concerns that so many different issuing groups, though well intended, have a good grasp of how to properly assist or point the charter school in the right direction. I am sure that there are some good issuing agencies and some poor ones.

Another huge concern centers around the fact that a school can be chartered by a for-profit company. I'll be blunt on this point...I don't want to see public education, in the form of charters or any other structure, being run for a profit. Right now Wisconsin, California, Michigan and Arizona allow for-profit companies to issue charters.

Taken together, based on the above, I see a long-term movement where municipalities will allow their schools to be 'off loaded' to firms who want to make a profit. Local, county, and state government bodies should never allow this to happen. These government agencies have few responsibilities more important than providing for a an excellent public education.

Yes, public education needs to be retooled (as always) and assisted, not sold off to the highest bidder!

Dick