Why Not More Charters?

Charter schools in Illinois have been around for 10 years and demand only grows, yet some legislators want to limit their growth, rather than raise the caps on opening new ones. Tribune:

Some 15,000 children applied to the state's 29 charter schools in 2005-06, but only about 5,000 new students were accepted, state data show. The number of children turned away--about 10,000--was significantly larger than in each of the previous two years, when roughly 5,500 to 6,500 children were not accepted.

Most charters are in the Chicago area, bringing needed innovation, and have a successful track record:

Patricia Munoz-Rocha, principal of Aspira's Mirta Ramirez Computer Science Charter School, said demand is high because parents want a safe environment and a demanding college preparatory curriculum for their children.

She said more charter schools should be allowed in Illinois. If need be, charter schools currently authorized, but still not created--in Downstate and suburban areas--should be set up in Chicago instead.

"Why is it that those charter schools can't be created in Chicago if the demand is there," she said.

Why can't we help inner city parents who can't afford a choice otherwise? Why shouldn't money taxed for education follow the child? Ask your legislator.

Previous posts: The Challenge for Schools, Dream Killers