I will also try not to tip my own hand about my views of charter schools although I will be happy to express my opinions, if you are interested, after the debate concludes. The first perspective is based on the recent phenomenon of using market mechanisms as a means to solve public problems. Under this view, the emergence of charter schools is seen as an example of the inexorable expansion of market principles and values into the public domain. Parents are viewed as consumers of educational services. Consequently, they need options or choices if they are to fully exercise their role as consumers of these services.
Charter schools provide the means to expand the market choices for educational consumers.
This rationale is the basis of both support and opposition to charter schools. The second perspective addresses the goals of public schools. Unfortunately, these goals are not necessarily compatible. Consequently, they cause conflict about where our educational priorities ought to lie. Nevertheless, we expect public schools to somehow make provisions for each.