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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Do we need more charter schools?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve heard from lots of parents lately checking out charter schools for next school year. They’ve all asked the same question: Why aren’t there more?
Charter school advocates say local school boards veto too many applications and treat the non-traditional public schools liked red-headed stepchildren. School board members say they’re making sure taxpayer money goes to credible programs.
The nature of charter schools can set up combative relationships. Charter schools need local approval to receive local property tax money. If local school boards approve the schools, they lose students and the money they would’ve received to teach them.
Charter schools may have a better shot of getting approval under HB 881, which passed out of the House Education Committee Tuesday. The bill creates another commission with the power to approve charter school applications. (http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb881.htm)
What do you think of this bill? Are school boards getting in the way of charter schools? Or are school boards looking out for students by saying some charter proposals just aren’t good enough?
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