Education reform needs an infusion of energy geared toward narrowing race-and-income-based achievement gaps that rob minority and low-income children of a fair shot at success in life.
Charters schools have been an important part of the state’s educational success story providing high quality opportunities for families across the Commonwealth, and promoting positive changes in district schools.
But arbitrary caps are preventing charter expansion in districts that need them most: cities like Lawrence, Chelsea, Holyoke, Boston, Fall River and others are frozen to new charters despite long waiting lists and a proven track record of academic success.
We know the need is there: more than 77,000 children are attending failing schools, most of them low-income, minority children who live in our cities.
We know the demand is there: more than 44,000 children currently sit on charter waiting lists – more than the number of children enrolled in charters.
We know the track record is good: A Stanford University study, conducted by a group normally critical of charters, found that Massachusetts charters are doing more to close achievement gaps than any other group of public schools in the country. Urban charter students continually outscore white students attending affluent suburban schools.
What stands in the way are powerful lobbies on Beacon Hill that act in their own interests instead of the interests of our children. They spread false information to perpetuate myths.
Charters are funded by reallocating the same amount of money that was used to educate those children in district schools. Districts then receive additional local aid from the state for six years (225%) – money for children they are no longer educating.
Charter enrollment looks much like the host districts – high need, minority and poor – and charters are rapidly increasing the percentage of special needs children and English-language-learners.
Charters also collaborate when given the opportunities and are eager to share their successes. In Lawrence, four charters have partnered with the district’s state-appointed receiver to improve district schools. Lawrence is considered one of the state’s fastest improving school district. It serves as an example of what can be achieved when we focus on successful practices for school children and has eliminated the excuse that urban, poor, language minority children can’t succeed in life. In Boston, a groundbreaking Compact was signed in 2011 bringing the district and Boston charters together to work on numerous issues, including sharing best practices.
Success should breed success; not a moratorium. Gov. Charlie Baker, a strong supporter of charter schools, has promised to make education a priority. We hope the Legislature listens to the facts and heeds the will of parents, and passes a bill that would allow more highly successful charter schools to open across Massachusetts. Our children deserve it and our parents demand it.
Ralph Carrero
Director/Superintendent
Lawrence Family Development Charter School
Vice President- Massachusetts Association of Public Charter Schools
