CURMUDGUCATION: Maryland Disappoints Charters

CURMUDGUCATION: Maryland Disappoints Charters:

 Maryland Disappoints Charters

Maryland's Governor Larry Hogan had a dream, a dream of a state where charters could bloom more easily, more plentifully, and more profitably. 

And so he was pushing a bill, a bill that would allow Maryland to catch up to other states in the chartery race for riches. The bill would let charters hire and fire staff at will (Maryland's charter teachers are actually employed by the local district). Teachers wouldn't have to be certified. Charters would have more ability to pick and choose students. Charters would get more money per student and also get a shot at construction funding. Perhaps most importantly, charters would finally have a recourse if mean old local school boards turned them down; they would be able to appeal to the State Board of Education to override the decision of local elected officials. So, democracy.

The Democrats are in control of the Maryland legislature, and they correctly identified the bill as union busting and bad for students. Compromise was sought.

The Senate committee later passed along a version of the bill that was either "watered down" or "improved" depending on your point of view. 

That was late March. This week the legislature passed the bill. Sort of. Says the AP

Hogan initially tried to get more input for the state board of education on charter school operations. His expansion plan also waived certain teacher certifications and opened the possibility for new collective bargaining agreements.

But Senate and House committees made roughly a dozen amendments that largely reversed those proposals in Hogan’s measure.

You can tell the charteristas are Not Pleased, as witnessed by a statement released by Kara Kerwin, president of the Center for Education Reform, a group that is deeply committed to profitable entrepreneurship via the charter biz.

 “Late last night, The Maryland General Assembly took a step backwards in passing a dramatically revised charter school bill, making it less likely that parents and educators will be able to create and advance innovative public school opportunities for children.

Yes, because only charters can innovate. This would be the perfect moment to list off some of the innovations that have come out of charter schools. Kara? Kara???
  

“The bill removes the State Board’s check and balance authority to review school district actions on charter applications, which by extension removes a Governor’s authority to impact charter school CURMUDGUCATION: Maryland Disappoints Charters: