Free Press editorial calls for putting children first with charter school reforms

Sep 23, 2014

On Sept. 21, the Detroit Free Press published an editorial, "Put our children first," urging lawmakers to consider reforms on how charter schools are authorized, operated and managed. Legislation has just been introduced which calls for a moratorium on the creation of any new charter schools until those issues are addressed.

A June Detroit Free Press investigative report on charter schools found issues with transparency and accountability. Since then, the state Department of Education (MDE) picked up on the report and is considering standards for charter schools. And In August, an EPIC-MRA poll found that 84 percent of those polled agree that Michigan needs legislation requiring charter schools to meet the same stands for student performance, accountability, openness and transparency that traditional public schools must follow.   (MEA Voice Online)