Minnesota districts, which had refused to create Montessori public schools, did so after frustrated parents began discussing charters. Civil-rights and advocacy groups are trying to create charter schools. Nearly all charter schools face implementation obstacles, but newly created schools are most vulnerable. Most new charters are plagued by resource limitations, particularly inadequate startup funds. Although charter advocates recommend the schools control all per-pupil funds, in reality they rarely receive as much funding as other public schools.
Charters sometimes face opposition from local boards, state education agencies, and unions.
Many educators are concerned that charter schools might siphon off badly needed funds for regular schools. The American Federation of Teachers urges that charter schools adopt high standards, hire only certified teachers, and maintain teachers' collective-bargaining rights. Also, some charters feel they face unwieldy regulatory barriers. According to Bierlein and Bateman, the odds are stacked against charter schools. There may be too few strong-law states to make a significant difference.