AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2008 > March > 07
Friday, March 7, 2008
Can anyone run a public school?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This Legislative session is full of bills questioning how and who should run public schools.
The House passed a bill Wednesday that would give school administrators more freedom on how they spend money, the number of students they put in each class and the types of teachers they hire. In exchange for this freedom, schools would enter into contracts with the state to meet specific academic goals.
Sounds simple enough, but the bill also says schools failing to meet standards could be converted to charter schools or put under private management.
Some see this bill as a back-door way to privatize public education. Others say it is a way to improve schools by stripping away bureaucracy and holding schools responsible for student learning.
What do you think of these contracts? Would you want a private company running a public school?
