(07/04/02) Charter schools are independent public schools and because they’re free from bureaucratic regulations they can be more innovative and flexible than traditional public schools. Teachers, parents, business or other would be educators apply for permission from their local education authority to open a school, operating with taxpayer dollars, just like public schools.

Some Charter schools are restricted from picking their own students but can develop a curriculum and approaches to meet specific needs of the community such as science, arts-orientation or even programs for special needs or gifted students. Rigorous accounting and accountability is expected and if they don’t provide an adequate education as agreed to in the charter, they can be closed.

The first charter school started 10 years ago in Minnesota. Nationally, there are over 2400 charter schools with more than a half million students. Thirty-eight states have charter schools of various kinds. Arizona has 437 charter schools and California 350.

Public schools have had years to excel but data shows more than half of public school students perform below the “proficiency” level. Also, many still equate education quality with dollars spent but studies show no correlation. However, there are a sufficient number of charter schools to begin to evaluate and compare how they stack up to public schools. Results show positive impacts for children who attend them and the public schools within their districts.

• School districts with charter schools typically became more customer service orientated, increased the frequency of their communication with parents and implemented new educational programs.
  
  
• In California, 93 charters composed of students from low-income households did better academically than their public-school counter parts.
  
  
• In Illinois, the state board of education indicated charters are serving “as seeds of change in their local communities.”
  
  
• The progress of charter school students in Texas far outpaced the progress of comparable students in public schools.

Some charter schools have had to close but the vast majority of charter schools are doing well and are providing choices for families. They also provide opportunities for families of children who may not fit into the mold of their traditional public school.

In Vermont, there’s been much resistance to charters schools by the education bureaucracy and teachers’ union in spite of the fact that David Wolk, the former education commissioner, was a strong advocate for them.

When expanded school choice was debated in the Vermont house an argument used by opponents was that it would destroy small schools. In Minnesota, charter schools have rejuvenated small community schools that were on the verge of extinction and the same could happen in Vermont.

More research is needed but if the last decade is any indication, charter schools will play a major role in public education reform. Parents need new choices and options as an alternative to the traditional public school.

Thank you for your calls and notes. I can be reached at 658-3975 (home), 228-2228 (State House) and via e-mail.

Rep. Frank Mazur
South Burlington