Carol Burris: Don’t Let Democratic Candidates Get Away With: “I’m Against For-Profit Charters”
Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Education, writes here about the efforts by most Democratic candidates to avoid confronting the dangers of privatization:
When Democratic candidates are questioned about charter schools, many typically reply, “I am against for-profit charter schools.” Everyone cheers. Politicians have created a convenient (and false) dichotomy that says nonprofit charter schools are good, and for-profit charter schools are bad.
Don’t be fooled. There are now only 2 states that allow for-profit charter schools—Arizona and Wisconsin. California changed its laws.
However, 35 states allow for-profit Charter Management Organizations (CMOS) to run their nonprofit charter schools.
40% of the charter schools in Florida are run by for-profit charter management companies. While the individual charter is a nonprofit, it can turn over everything from hiring, to curriculum, to financial management to a for-profit corporation. In Michigan, 80% of the so-called nonprofit charter schools are run by for-profit companies.
To understand how this arrangement works, read this CONTINUE READING: Carol Burris: Don’t Let Democratic Candidates Get Away With: “I’m Against For-Profit Charters” | Diane Ravitch's blog
