Session Top Issues - Charter Schools
While we did not mention it in out top issue overview, it seems that charter schools may actually be seriously examined this session. We've long been an advocate of charter schools as an element of increased school choice in Kentucky, and if you missed Jim Water's recent column on Kentucky's ineffective education spending, we recommend it.
Yesterday, a group called Kentuckians Advocating Reform in Education (KARE) began airing pro-charter school advertisements in Kentucky, coinciding with the first day of the 2012 legislative session.
Kentucky is now one of only nine states that do not allow public charter schools, and some want the state to be taken off that list this year.
"Kentucky's schools are failing, but there is a better way. Public charter schools offer information and accountability," says a commercial that began airing throughout the state Tuesday.
It's funded by a group called Kentuckians Advocating Reform in Education, or KARE, which is chaired by former Metro Council Member Hal Heiner.
"It is the way for at-risk youth, for them to be successful in life, to get the kind of education every child needs to be successful, and public charters have shown if they're set up right, the results are amazing," he said.
Public charters use tax-payer money, but are not subject to many of the rules and regulations that other public schools are. Many have higher standards for entrance, and use longer school days and school years to boost scores. Lawmakers have said the state's schools will be a top priority this legislative session.
Perhaps they have already had an effect.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, who once bragged about being beholden to the Kentucky Education Association, has indicated that he'll attentively allow hearings on the issue.
Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo says he's interested in hearing more about charter schools after a new group launched TV ads in support of the reform Tuesday morning.
Shelbyville Republican Brad Montell has introduced legislation into the house allowing charter schools over the past several years. And supporters in the state Senate have filed and passed bills in that chamber. All the measures have died in the House. But Stumbo says this could be the year that breaks the pattern.
"I'm open to listening because I think anytime that we have a new idea about education improvement we should listen," says Stumbo. "But I have reservations because we can't allow our public schools to be impacted negatively."
We don't know whether repeatedly missing out on federal Race to the Top funding has softened the KEA's resistance or Stumbo just misses having that money to spend, charter schools would be a great tool for the Kentucky educational system.
The #8 school in the country ranked by the Washington Post is a charter school just over the river in Evansville, IN. Kentucky's best ranking is #248.
