The right place for America's charter schools - Other Views - NewsObserver.com

The right place for America's charter schools - Other Views - NewsObserver.com:

The right place for America's charter schools

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/06/29/2166133/the-right-place-for-americas-charter.html#storylink=cpy

and that's the truth

 Let me say right up front that I celebrate any school that provides a child a first-class education. I do not care whether it is a magnet school, traditional public school, charter school or private school. I do not believe that public funds should be used for private schools, but I do believe that every child should have access to a great public school.

This year has been the worst year I have ever witnessed for attacks on public schools. Politicians and reformers who believe they are helping children by providing vouchers, tax credits, closing public schools or lifting caps on charter schools are missing the big picture. In an effort to help a few children, they are doing great harm to most children, and they are undermining the keystone of our country’s democracy.

I know that charter schools are public schools, but I would contend that we are at a point in their development where they have become enablers in weakening a strong public school system for America. The purpose of charter schools was to create laboratories for developing innovative instructional programs that improved student learning. Now, too many charters have become segregated, personality-driven and

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/06/29/2166133/the-right-place-for-americas-charter.html#storylink=cpy