A Christie Doctrine for Charter Schools?The governor has big plans for NJ charters, but his biggest stumbling block may be a lack of cash
- Credit: Frank Conlon/Robert Treat Academy
It was news enough that Gov. Chris Christie yesterday announced 23 new charter schools in New Jersey, the largest class yet of the semi-autonomous schools. Nine were approved for Newark alone, nearly doubling the total in that city.
But the breadth of his plans may be more profound in the legislation his office is preparing, essentially rewriting the state’s 15-year-old charter school law.
In a copy provided by the administration, the bill would open up the potential of dozens of entities that could approve (or authorize) charter schools -- including local school boards. It would clear the way for both private and public schools to convert to charters, while eliminating any number of existing restrictions on who can operate charter schools and for which students.
For example, among the charters announced yesterday was a school serving children with autism, and another that would have single-sex classrooms -- in a co-educational building.
But the scope of his plans do not stop there. Under