The District will have some 15 charter schools, enrolling 3,500 youngsters. With elections coming, it's no surprise that so dramatic a change in the District's educational arrangements elicits noise from mayoral candidates. He wants a moratorium on new charters. Other candidates would reduce the maximum number of charter schools allowed to open each year. One hopes this hostility results from nothing more pernicious than a murky understanding of the nature of charter schools.
Charter schools are public schools.
One candidate seems to understand its potential. That's precisely what a growing number of American communities are doing. For example, Detroit has three operational charter schools, seven more opening this fall and others under consideration. I don't agree with those who are defensive. Charter schools are helping us move in the right direction.