Oklahoman: Give Charter Schools A Chance
Effort to expand Oklahoma charter schools out of urban core is worthwhile
The Oklahoman Editorial
SINCE the 1990s, charter schools have primarily been limited to the urban core. Many charters, which are free public schools, have been wildly successful. Yet states have been slow to duplicate those successful efforts in other areas, particularly rural communities. Legislation working its way through the Legislature could change that.
Senate Bill 573 would create the “Public Charter School Accountability and Authorization Act.” It contains provisions to boost charter opportunities in Oklahoma and increase accountability measures imposed on charter schools.
The bill would create a commission that could authorize charter school agreements anywhere in Oklahoma. Priority would be given to public charter schools serving at-risk student populations or students from low-performing public schools. Charter operators with a record of success elsewhere would be given preference. Those charter schools would have to admit local children regardless of a child’s prior academic achievement or aptitude.
Notably, the bill imposes tougher oversight of new charter schools. The legislation includes an automatic closure provision for any charter school landing in the bottom 15 percent of districts based on academic performance. Only charter schools primarily serving dropouts or English-as-second-language learners would be exempted from this provision.
Existing charter authorizers would retain their power, including school districts, colleges and American Indian tribes. However, the creation of a statewide authorizer would ensure local politics don’t needlessly impede children’s educational opportunities. Tulsa school officials are currently supportive of charters, but just a few years ago were filing lawsuits to block them. Oklahoma City has supported charters, but district officials have now reportedly imposed an informal moratorium on new charters despite strong demand.