Here’s an article from the Associated Press on how charter schools are bleeding students from conventional public school districts all over the U.S. — some 100,000 in Los Angeles alone.

This has damaging financial impact on the districts that lose students. It also encourages racial and economic segregation and segregation by haves and have nots educationally.

Advertisement

This, of course, was the argument that Little Rock School Superintendent Baker Kurrus was making in opposing continued expansion of charter schools in Little Rock that enjoy more advantaged student bodies than the Little Rock district (but nonetheless aren’t particularly distinguished academically). That point of view got him fired by Education Commissioner Johnny Key, in the legislature and now a prime proponent of the school “choice” agenda being pushed by the Walton billions and other wealthy people in Arkansas, including the Murphy and Stephens families and Walter Hussman, publisher of the state’s dominant newspaper company.

Charter schools are public in that they get public money. But they are typically operated without school boards by private companies, some with profit-making subsidiaries, and aren’t held to the same rules to which conventional schools are held. They also can find ways to avoid students that conventional public districts MUST accept.

Advertisement

Some charter advocates believe the resulting fiscal strain will eventually have a positive effect by pushing districts to be more competitive and provide better services. Yet there’s no clear evidence of that. One study found greater school choice did not significantly influence school effectiveness and put more financial pressure on schools with the steepest educational challenges.

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article Delta des Refuses: One of Thea’s biggest Next article Augusta Palmer to direct documentary about legendary Memphis Country Blues Festivals