Charter school crackdown - In every bushel, there are a few bad apples, a truism that also applies to charter schools. Since February, the Texas Education Agency has used a new law passed last legislative session in Austin to revoke the charters of five operators, including Honors Academy and its Dallas-area campuses. Three other charters, including Deion Sanders’ Prime Prep Academy, have appeals pending. If the agency wins every case, it would mark a record year for revocations. Getting rid of schools that don’t live up to their commitment to wisely shepherd funds and educate students is the proper action. Successful charter schools play an important role in the state’s efforts to reform education. We can’t allow those few bad apples to drag down the success of high-performing charters — or to limit the potential of students eager to succeed. Charter schools receive state funding in exchange for greater flexibility to operate and innovate. If they fail to produce these results, the state must shut them down — for the sake of the children and educational reform.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 17:35:36 +0000