Preference must also be given to existing students if the charter school converts from an existing school. For clarification sake, the proposed bill now provides a specific list. See the Bill Digest for other less substantive revisions to the current charter school law. Although such schools often receive less funding, long waiting lists exist. Many urban minority leaders are using such laws to create charter schools as a means to improve their schools and revitalize their communities.
Charter schools continue to receive bi-partisan support nationally.
The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers are also supporting the creation of charter schools. Indeed, the NEA has specifically helped open five charter schools to date. There have indeed been some problems with charter schools. Many other proposed schools have never opened their doors since adequate facilities couldn't be found. Although such problems have hit the front page of many newspapers, they represent a very small percent of the total charter school population.