One of CURE’s objections to charter schools was the lack of transparency in many charter school systems and the resulting financial abuses. Now that we have a charter school law, we urge the Washington Legislature to implement laws insuring transparency. We can learn from the other states.

Here are some examples of abuses:

In Florida: “$500,000 payout to charter principal sparks outrage, call for probe”, and

“Charter School spent more on principal than teachers, students”

Also in Florida: “Florida charter schools: Big money little oversight”

In Ohio: “Lack of oversight an issue for model charter school system”

It’s also interesting to note that if  charter schools close, it is usually not for academic reasons but for financial reasons. See the article:  “It’s not academic: Why Charter Schools close”

This brings to mind two questions–why aren’t they being closed for poor academic performance and why aren’t their finances more transparent?

Washington legislators must avoid the problems that other states face.

Tags: Common Core State Standards, Race to the Top, charters