The Problems with Charter Schools in Petersburg | Richmond Times-Dispatch

The Problems with Charter Schools in Petersburg

Related Links

» Article: The Charter School Legislation

By HENRY L. MARSH III | TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST
Published: August 01, 2010

Recently, Gov. Bob McDonnell and Virginia Secretary of Education Gerard Robinson expressed their intent to establish a charter school in Petersburg, a city I am honored and proud to represent in the State Senate. This intent has been expressed through public remarks, in statements accompanying bill signings, and to the press, without consulting city government officials, the leadership of the Petersburg school system, or the citywide PTA.

During the 2010 session of the General Assembly, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus -- consisting of 18 members of the General Assembly -- took a formal position opposing charter schools, based in part on the following concepts:

•The opportunity for every child to succeed is a fundamental tenet of public education.

•On average, charter schools are no more successful than traditional public schools.

•Charter schools are largely run by private entities at the public's expense and with increasingly little oversight.

It is often stated that education is the civil rights issue of our time. Lest we forget the pivotal role that the

Sunday, August 1, 2010