By Bill Costello • November 10, 2009 at 3:46 AM
President Obama’s $4.35 billion in Race to the Top funds already have states scrambling to reform education in order to receive grants.
Why does it take the lure of money for states to do the right thing? It’s no secret that charter schools are effective. Yet some states don’t allow them and many states have not raised [...]
By Bill Costello • November 9, 2009 at 5:21 AM
Texas State Education Commissioner Robert Scott announced plans for expanding high-performing charter schools throughout the state.
With 215 charters, Texas has reached the maximum number allowed by the State Board of Education. Scott intends to change the cap.
Expect more states to follow suit as the federal government prepares to dangle the stimulus money carrot in front [...]
By Bill Costello • November 8, 2009 at 1:13 AM
Not only do charter schools help their own students, but they also help students at traditional public schools finds Marcus Winters, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
Exposing traditional public schools to charter competition puts pressure on them to improve or risk losing students.
Charter competition especially benefits low-income minorities:
One of the most encouraging findings by [...]