Better Late than Never: Will Kentucky Finally Pass a Charter - TopicsExpress



          

Better Late than Never: Will Kentucky Finally Pass a Charter School Law? Kentucky, one of eight states without a charter law, may be a bit late to the party but that can be a good thing. With more policymakers than ever looking to support a bipartisan charter bill in 2014, Kentucky is now in the position to pick and choose from the best practices in policies and results from charter schooling over the last twenty years. Kentucky will need to pass a charter school law that reflects the needs of the Commonwealth while at the same time incorporating the essential criteria that research shows leads to high-quality public charter schools. This will be a key discussion point during the first annual Kentucky Charter School Association Education Summit on August 22, in Louisville. The idea grew out of conversations with several state legislators, local organizations and the offices of Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, who are both attending the Summit. “Students, parents and communities in Kentucky and across America must demand schools put students first, produce results, and reward outstanding teachers,” says Senator Mitch McConnell . “One successful approach that has been implemented in 42 states, but not in Kentucky, is the establishment of public charter schools.” Additionally, Senator Rand Paul says, “All children, no matter who they are or where they live, deserve an equal chance to develop their skills and intellect…by nurturing the ideals of choice and individual freedom, we can find education solutions that direct all of our children toward success.” Kentuckians also realize the benefits public charter schools can bring, and they want them. A February Courier Journal poll found 65 percent of respondents supported public charter schools while an April survey found 72 percent of Kentuckians favor legislation that would allow persistently low-performing schools to become public charter schools. Furthermore, two weeks ago, a survey of 2,000 black families conducted by the Black Alliance for Education Outcomes showed 56 percent of those surveyed would not send their children to the public school they are currently assigned if given a choice. Kentucky families couldn’t be clearer: they want more choices and are demanding public charter schools. Now it’s time for policymakers to deliver. Lisa Grover is the senior director of state advocacy at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 16:44:13 +0000

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