“This is important because the endless back-and-forth about whether charter schools “work” – whether there is something about “charterness” that usually leads to fantastic results – has become a massive distraction in our education debates. The evidence makes it abundantly clear that that is not the case, and the goal at this point should be to look at the schools of both types that do well, figure out why, and use that information to improve all schools.” – Matthew Di Carlo
Charters and Vouchers
Be careful. There is much talk about vouchers and charters theoretically bringing in the competition we need for educational improvement. However, as long as government money funds a school, there will be strings attached. Charter schools and voucher-accepting schools will still have to follow state curriculum mandates (such as the WASL and WASL standards).
There is also the matter of how the charter school board and administration can be accountable to the people who pay the taxes for the school. We woudn’t want taxation without representation.
Religious schools would not be able to participate in a voucher or charter program while various non-governmental agencies, companies, and organizations for community activism would qualify. Public Schools could even convert to charter schools depending on the details of the law.
Instead of vouchers or charters, a possible solution would be a tax-credit system by which taxes designated for education could go from the parent to the school or an education fund without passing through government hands.
In any case, be careful of voucher or charter programs. Make sure they do what you want them to do. With any program the devil is in the details.
Money can’t buy everything, it’s true…..but it can buy quite a lot. This article explains how major foundations–primarily the Gates, Broad, and Walton Foundations– influence national education policy.
Charter Schools may not be the panacea that proponents of competition think they are. After all, the funding still comes from the government. How can a government program, with all its strings attached, claim to “create competition?” Read the commentary.
This concept of educational tax credits avoids the problems that vouchers and charters have. Read about the Freedom of Conscience in Education concept.
Here are some letters to the editor expressing opposite views about vouchers.
Charters may not offer the solutions parents seek. Charters, with government strings attached, could not offer true choice and can exert control over secular private schools. Meanwhile, religious private schools would be at a disadvantage, with respect to funding.
Article by about education vouchers. Don’t jump from the frying pan into the fire. With government funds, there are always strings attached.
Charter Schools are not the perfect solution. Here is an example of a worst-case scenario. Granted, most charter schools do not end up this way, but things could go wrong.
This is CURE’s open response to Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s statement in support of charter schools. Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s original statement is printed below the CURE response.