Tennessee to allow charter schools
Years of persistence by supporters of charter schools paid off recently as Gov. Don Sundquist signed legislation making Tennessee the 38th state in the country to allow public charter schools.
The bill, passed by both houses of the General Assembly, gives local school boards authority to grant charters annually to operate schools and receive local funds. Additionally, it grants local school systems the option to charter low-performing schools which fail to make adequate progress.
“We have worked very hard for many years to get this done,” said Sundquist. “Nothing is more important to me than educating the children of Tennessee, and the implementation of charter schools gives us another opportunity to enhance each child’s learning experience.”
Not all are enthusiastic about the new law, including the Tennessee Education Association. That group says despite growing proof that charter schools are not working, the State Department of Education worked to convince legislators of the necessity of charter schools as a form of alternative governance for low-performing schools.
Even many charter school proponents argue the law allowing charter schools is too weak and shows a clear lack of freedom for potential charters.
“There is no automatic waiver from regulations and only school boards can approve charters. The children of Tennessee may have some new choices next year, but given the obstacles that marked the bill’s deliberation, we’re convinced the local school boards will not stop short of creating roadblocks,” reads the Center for Education Reform’s web site.
For her part, Department of Education Commissioner Faye Taylor is optimistic about the new law. “We believe this legislation offers yet another opportunity to help schools that are struggling to meet the demands of accountability and the needs of under-achieving students,” she said.
“Although it restricts the number of charters that can be granted, we believe the efforts of those who worked together to pass this law will reap significant benefits for the citizens of Tennessee. We’re looking for solutions to problems and we want to be certain charter schools are part of those solutions.”