States Open to Charters Start Fast in 'Race to Top'
Education Secretary Seeking Autonomy with Real Accountability for School Innovators
June 8, 2009
Emphasizing the need for additional effective education
entrepreneurs to join the work of reforming America's lowest
performing public schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
told reporters during a conference call this afternoon that states
must be open to charter schools. Too much is at stake for states
financially and for students academically to restrict choice and
innovation.
"States that do not have public charter laws or put artificial caps
on the growth of charter schools will jeopardize their applications
under the Race to the Top Fund," Secretary Duncan said. "To be
clear, this administration is not looking to open unregulated and
unaccountable schools. We want real autonomy for charters combined
with a rigorous authorization process and high performance
standards."
This summer, the Department of Education begins accepting state
applications for the federal government's largest one-time
investment in K-12 public school reform. By the end of the year,
the department will be distributing grants from the $4.35 billion
Race to the Top Fund. Also, $1.5 billion in Title I School
Improvement Program funds is available to improve teaching and
learning for all children.
"I am advocating for using whatever models work for students, and
particularly where improvements have stagnated for years,"
Secretary Duncan said. "We cannot continue to do that same thing
and expect different results. We cannot let another generation of
children be deprived of their civil right to a quality
education."
President Obama has called upon states to encourage the expansion
of charter schools. A network of innovative and high-achieving
charter schools can be an important part of a state's school reform
effort. However, charter schools are facing significant obstacles
to expansion in too many states.
For example:
*Ten states do not have laws allowing public charter schools;
* In the 40 states with charters, 26 put artificial caps on the
number of public charter schools and President Obama has called on
states to lift these caps and other barriers to having a healthy
network of charter schools throughout the country;
* In Maine, the state legislature is debating a bill that would
establish a pilot program for its first 10 charter schools;
* Tennessee has not moved on a bill to lift enrollment restrictions
on charter schools; and
* In Indiana, the legislature is considering a moratorium on new
charter schools.
These actions are restricting reforms, limiting choices for parents
and students, and denying children access to new high-quality
instruction.
