ABC's of Charter Schools

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Debunking the Myths

      Many  opponents of public charter schools represent professional education associations, not parents and families.  They promote myths which can be refuted. 

     We are told, for instance, that we don't need public charter schools, yet many children are at serious risk in our present educational system.  We are told, we don't need public charter schools, because:

• MYTH  Maine has one of the best public school systems in the country, we're doing fine without public charter schools.  

FACT While the majority of Maine children do well in conventional public schools, many do not: 2,000 drop out of high school each year; others are low-performing because of high absenteeism, family problems, poverty, homelessness, harassment, etc. Many children are at serious risk.  (See "Maine's Need")

• MYTH  Maine has alternative education programs, we don't need charter schools.

FACT Maine has about 80 alternative education programs which reach a relatively small number of students out of the several thousand who could benefit from affordable public school options.

• MYTH  They will take money away from existing schools.  

FACT  Resources for public education will increase with public charter schools, not be “drained away.” 

New programs will create new community partnerships, bring in additional teachers with diverse experience, and bring in new foundation grants and large federal grants. 

If a child transfers from an existing public school to a chartered public school, the town’s average per pupil payment for annual operating funds will follow that child to the new public charter school. 

Towns will pay the same amount per child as now. Taxpayer funds will be used as intended - to educate each child as well as possible.

Meeting the needs of children at risk will - over time - reduce state expenses for remedial programs, welfare, and social services.

• MYTH They will take time and resources away from current school reform initiatives.

FACT Public charter schools complement current efforts to improve public education and student achievement in Maine.  The state sets the overall goals, and different kinds of public schools have to prepare their students to meet those goals.  The state monitors student achievement in a variety of ways for all public schools.

Chartered public schools are not a “mandate” -- they are voluntary organizations which teachers choose to teach in, families and students choose to attend.  No district has to approve a charter public school application.

• MYTH  They will skim the best students.

FACT  Chartered public schools cannot “cream” the best students - they must have a lottery if more students apply than spaces are available under their contract to operate. More often, charter schools attract students who are not being successful in their "assigned" public school.

• MYTH  Charter Schools will be exempt from important rules and regulations. 

FACT  Health, safety and civil rights regulations must be met.

       If you hear, or think of, other "reasons" why we shouldn't have public charter schools, let MACS know.  We welcome reasoned debate, and may well have an excellent answer for you. (Please check our FAQ page for more information.)

For more information, see the US Department of Education's website on charter schools: http://www.uscharterschools.org/