Plan for limited lifting of cap on charter schools is a good idea
Legislation that would lift the cap on the number of charter schools allowed in Michigan could help the state compete for tens of millions of federal dollars and should be approved as soon as possible, The Detroit News says in an editorial today.
Two bills introduced by Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, would lift the state's cap on charter schools for operators with a proven track record.
The bills would let state school Supt. Mike Flanagan's office decide which charter operators meet the state's highest accreditation ranking and allow them to open more schools.
"Michigan has a chance to be the first state to adopt a smart cap on charter schools," the editorial says. "In a state increasingly known as an innovation stifler, embracing educational innovation would be a welcome change -- and help encourage the creation of good new schools."
Comments
Tom Bower
Fri, Oct 30, 2009 : 8:19 p.m.
A Voice of Reason. Consider.... Michigan Charter Schools Do More with Less Source: Michigan Association of Public School Academies http://www.charterschools.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=44 Charters are doing more with less. 62% of the state's charter students are minorities, one of the highest ratios in the country and significantly above the state average of 26 percent. About 58% of Michigan charter students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch. Charter schools receive a per-pupil funding of about $7,888. This is $1,198 less per student than all traditional schools statewide, and $2,576 less per student than the traditional district where the charter school is located. Charter total student funding is never more than what the local district gets. Charters are not allowed to levy millages or sell public bonds. In fact, many charters pay property taxes back to traditional districts. Michigan charters put their dollars in the classroom. Latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows 63% of all charter staff are in the classroom, directly helping children to learn. In contrast, the state average for all schools is 48% -- among the worst in the nation. According to the Michigan Dept of Education (MDE), charter school students in grades K-8 outperform students in similar traditional public school districts in 25 of 27 MEAP tests. Charter high school students have achieved an 86% graduation rate, 12% above similar traditional districts. According to the MDE, students in charter schools receive, on average, $1,778 less per year in combined state and local financial resources than students in host districts.
A Voice of Reason
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 4:07 p.m.
The State teacher's union (MEA) is making sure that Charter Schools are not getting anything from the WISD Millage, so they must be doing something right!
Otto Mobeal
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 9:23 p.m.
Tom, Did you think that the reason that local politicians might want to have more kids go to charter schools so the enhancement funds might be spread among less children?
grimdaddy1
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 11:36 a.m.
i am 100% with this more schools more choices will make your local public get creative instead of just reaching into your wallet and taking more and more money from you without providing results that show a diffrence in student skills. i am all for schools with theachers held accountable and no unions. i agree unions used to be needed but the teachers union is a BAD union and always will be.
Tom Bower
Tue, Oct 27, 2009 : 9:24 a.m.
Yes. And while this is being done, the Legislature should also amend the Revised School Code so that public school academy students can receive reginal enhancement millage funds. Currently, the state law precludes this.