Be wary of charter schools?

Here is an opposing view on charter schools...what do you think?

New Orleans has many, and they are shifting problems elsewhere.

By Larry Carter

We understand that charter schools are part of the educational landscape in New Orleans. The United Teachers of New Orleans supports charter schools that are accountable to the public, ensure educational equity, are open to all students and give their employees a real voice in decisions.

Unfortunately, some charter advocates have used the concept to advance privatization or weaken the benefits and professional rights of teachers. Talks with faculty and staff at local charters give us a solid understanding of the issues and needs these schools face.

Among the most serious:

Charter schools receive public education monies and should be accountable to the public. Yet one charter school management firm — paid $773,000 to operate the school for a year — was ordered to pay a $350,000 arbitration judgment to the school's governing board because the firm failed to follow state standards.

Charter schools don't provide the same insurance and retirement benefits to educators as traditional public schools. That can create a reliance on teachers who rotate in and out of charters, often for two-year stints, denying students the benefit of experienced, seasoned professionals. For traditional schools, that means skyrocketing insurance costs as the pool of employees shrinks....

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