In case you missed them, here are this week's blogposts:
Who's for Innovation? Unions.
Who's for Innovation? Yes-Unions!
Next week: Policymakers consider legislation to create more teacher-powered schools.
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In the news: This week the Oklahoma legislature passed a bill to allow creation of charter schools in any school district in the state. Until now, charter schools were allowed only in Oklahoma City and Tulsa where 29 schools currently operate. In addition, the legislation allows appeal of a charter school application to the state.
I celebrate that charter schools are now allowed in the non-urban areas of the state. Chartering, from its origins, has been about opportunities for all students, whether rural, urban, or suburban. Some of the first charter schools in Minnesota were located in rural areas or small cities, and many rural charter schools thrive today.
I celebrate the appeal process. The more authorizer options, the more true autonomy for charter schools. Autonomy is key to the origins of chartering.
Finally, I celebrate that several Democratic lawmakers voted for the chartering legislation in the Oklahoma Senate. But none in the House. This must change for the future. The most important message from the origins is that chartering was passed as a bipartisan initiative. Today, 70% of the American public supports chartering.
The chartering community must take a stand to sustain its bipartisan roots if chartering is to thrive in coming years.