Under existing rules governing public schools in New York State, this kind of sensible arrangement is impossible. But a good charter school law makes it possible. Charter schools can be more easily monitored, or even closed, if they fail to meet their end of the contract. Built into the charter school legislation is a provision that requires greater accountability for charter schools in terms of both academic achievement and financial integrity. Initial charters can be granted for a maximum of five years, ensuring a detailed review by the chartering entity after a reasonable period of time.
Charter schools create real competition, within the public school system.
One Arizona schools superintendent took to telephoning parents who moved their children from his public school to a local charter school. Like a business person losing his customers, he wanted to know what went wrong. It s an incentive for schools to reflect on themselves and reassess where they re at. If parents feel the opportunity is better with them, then they should have that choice. Underperforming public schools in New York would similarly be spurred to make changes if they started facing competition for their students.