Editorial: Charter Schools - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Charter Schools

Posted: Updated:

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:20:04 GMT
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    •   

Nationally, Charter schools show no difference in student performance than local public school options in nearly half of the schools and more than a third deliver results significantly worse.

But nearly 20% show improvement. 

Why not try it here?  Especially since our public education system can be better and the federal government may pony up $175 to $200 million to get us started. 

The money is part of the Race to the Top Fund.  More than four billion dollars will be available nationally. 

It won't be if we don't pass legislation allowing for charter schools in Alabama. 

Charter schools are public, not private and are free from many of the rules and regulations traditional public schools follow, particularly regarding hiring and curriculum.  

They operate in all but 11 states and serve more than one million students. 

Alabama's innovative educational initiatives in recent years have resulted in tangible progress but we still trail nearly all states in education rankings.

Charter schools offer another choice for families.   

Let's allow for that choice here in Alabama.