That's $82 million dollars they should NOT be given, considering they're in violation of the U.S. Constitution. They want to indoctrinate people with creationism? Do it on their own dime!

Let's see how they fare after they're stripped of $82 million dollars.

Thanks for sharing, Tierra_y_Libertad.

Calling charter schools "public" does not MAKE them public (except for the part where they take public money)..

These are experimental schools where they can hire non-union teachers and can cherry-pick students, and can use whatever book they choose to use..

The dangerous charters are those run outside the framework of public accountability by ideological nuts and shady for-profit outfits. Like the Texas examples I cite in the OP, these are a real threat to public education.


On the other hand, there are different types of charter schools so some differentiation is necessary. Here in WI, we have charter schools that are part of the normal public school structure. These charters are share facilities with 'regular' schools, are staffed with fully qualified teachers, and are accountable directly to the superintendent and the school board. The only difference from a 'regular' public school is that they offer specialized instructional approaches such as Montessori-style curriculum, accelerated learning programs for gifted students, or an emphasis on arts music or science, etc...These charters provide a real choice and offer opportunities to meet the needs of kids and the desires of parents without compromising public ed on the whole. My kids are enrolled in these charters and I strongly support them.