Democratic Assemblywoman Carole Migden, the sponsor of the bill, could not be reached for comment last week. But in a written statement, she rejected predictions that charter schools would have to close if they were subject to collective-bargaining agreements. The opposition is exaggerating and using scare tactics. But talks are under way to amend Ms. Migden's bill to give charter school employees flexibility in such agreements. Her bill has passed two committees.
Final action is pending in a third.
What they are going after is essentially what makes charters different. EA spokeswoman Kathleen Lyons countered that some see charter schools as a way to eliminate collective bargaining altogether. 1999 Editorial Projects in Education Vol.