A letter published March 3 includes a number of inaccuracies about public charter schools.
Charters have no control over their enrollment, which is determined by random lottery. Charters are open to all children, and that includes children with special needs and English language learners who are enrolling in charters in greater numbers every year.
New data from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shows that enrollment of children with special needs and English language learners is growing dramatically in charters, and is now nearly the same as district enrollment. A separate study by researchers at MIT confirmed the same trend.
The charge that students leave charters in large numbers during the school year is a myth based on anecdote. Actual state data shows that charter attrition rates are actually lower than their local districts, which means fewer children are leaving charter schools compared to district schools.
The fact that four charters have been closed and several others are operating under conditions is called accountability. Charters are held to high standards and are heavily scrutinized. If they don’t perform, they can be closed.
The letter-writer’s use of the word “privatization” is a misrepresentation. Charters are nonprofit, public schools. They are managed by public boards made up of local parents and community leaders, and are overseen by the public Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
They are not part of the local district. But they are public schools.
Charters create public school choice for parents who cannot afford private school or do not feel their children’s needs are being met in traditional districts.
That may make districts feel uncomfortable, but it makes parents feel empowered.Critically important decisions that will affect the future of tens of thousands of children all across the Commonwealth will be made this year either by the Legislature or the voters in November. We all should base these decisions on facts.
Marc Kenen
Haydenville
The writer is executive director of the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association.