Charters in PA, Take 2
June 7, 2012
Dear Pennsylvania Policymakers, Charter School Leaders and Parents:
Fifteen years ago policymakers took a bold step and passed a charter school law that was based on principals of freedom, flexibility and choice. Now they seem focused only on proposals that will have the adverse effect of dismantling the charter school choices they created.
Last week we wrote you about a pending proposal to create an ill-conceived new authorizer. We explained that great new independent authorizers, like universities, are successfully serving students with their chartering in more than a dozen states.
This week brought yet another bad proposal that will undermine the progress that charters have made in the state of Pennsylvania. Charters are already underfunded compared to traditional public schools. Charters in Pennsylvania typically only receive 70-82% of revenue that district schools receive. Now Rep. Fleck (R-Huntingdon) wants to compound the problem with House Bill 2364 which he introduced on Monday.
Well-meaning lawmakers argue that this proposal is about accountability. In reality, it will hamstring charter schools and burden them with unnecessary levels of bureaucracy. Accountability is the hallmark of charter schools and that comes with objective and quality authorizing.
We can learn from other states from throughout the country where multiple or independent authorizers are ensuring the proliferation of highly accountable, successful charter schools where student performance is the driver of all their activity. Testimony [http://bit.ly/Medyhw and http://bit.ly/LySWiY] on these successes and on best practices in general have been offered in hearings in Harrisburg and in numerous meetings with lawmakers. Improvements in the charter school law are important and necessary, but neither of the pending proposals helps the intended customer — the children and families who desperately need alternatives and schools that fit their individual needs rather than the needs of a system.
Best Regards,
Jeanne Allen
President
