The trouble with charter schools
It's easier to open a new one than to close a bad one
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Charter schools receive a lot of well-deserved attention this time of year when they appear to be performing miracles. But what about the ones that don't?
The Obama administration believes, as did the Bush administration, in taking harsh action against "failing" schools, such as firing staff, closing the school or turning over control to the state or private charters.
Much of the news has been encouraging, especially in schools where graduates outnumber dropouts for a change.
It was exciting to hear that Urban Prep Academies, a charter school on Chicago's South Side, is sending 100 percent of this year's 107 graduates to college. That's particularly impressive for a school where only 4 percent of its original 150 students were reading at or above grade level when it opened four years ago.
It was also exciting to hear that Anacostia Senior High School, the District of Columbia charter school where first lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement address this year, reported 79 percent of its seniors were graduating, up from 50 percent in 2009.
Plus, 95 percent of this year's graduates have been accepted to college, school representatives say. When