Leftenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following press release:
SENATE STRENGTHENS CHARTER SCHOOL LAW,
EXPANDS EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS
JACKSON – Legislation opening rural areas in the state to public charter schools passed the Senate today, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said. The bill heads to the House for consideration.
Senate Bill 2161 updates the public charter school law by allowing students to cross school district lines to attend a public charter school. The bill, sponsored by Education Chairman Sen. Gray Tollison, R-Oxford, will make Mississippi’s rural areas attractive to public charter schools and provide more options for parents and students.
“Public charter schools can offer students an opportunity for academic success, and I believe all of Mississippi should have the ability to attract these schools,” said. Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “By allowing students to cross district boundaries, public charter schools can build the capacity to operate effective campuses wherever there is demand from families.”
The bill allows employees of public charter schools to participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System. It also disallows school boards of C-rated districts from limiting educational options for students.
Currently, Mississippi has two public charter schools in Jackson. Both schools have waiting lists for enrollment due to overwhelming interest from parents and students. Public charter schools successfully operate in several rural communities, including the Arkansas Delta and in Tennessee.
Kingfish note: Good news for the Delta.
11 comments:
A couple of thoughts on the details:
First, it looks like the bill amends the original act to extend PERS eligibility to teachers in charter schools. If that's new, it's a big deal. I imagine many qualified teachers would love to teach in a well-run charter, but were unable to make the move because they had many years sunk into PERS retirement.
Second, it would be a better bill if it limited cross-district enrollment to students in under-performing districts. Strong public schools in rural areas are rare, and already are strapped for resources. Economies of scale matter for purposes of good extracurriculars, labs, sports, etc. That's one reason for the current consolidation movement in rural districts.
Making charter teachers eligible for PERS is a huge improvement and one that the state ed unions would not have let slip through if they saw it coming. Huge.
If a charter school is part of a school district and otherwise is a public school, the employees are already covered by PERS.
There is no such thing in Mississippi as a 'state ed union'.
what is a "public" charter school?
The original charter school bill had PERS membership struck via amendment. Attempts to add it in over the past two years have died in the House. Maybe they can actually get enough votes this year. Coupling the word PERS with charter schools makes some weaker Republicans spinchters tighten.
All charter schools in Mississippi are 'public' schools. Read the law.
For the argument that cross-district should not be allowed for plus-performing schools because it would reduce their enrollment, I call B/S. If a student wants to leave your plus-performing school for any reason to go to a charter, (1) the school has one less student and the state money related to one student. Net should be the same; actually it is a plus for the local district. (2) Your plus-performing school might be great in many areas but it doesn't necessarily mean its great in what relates to that particular kid. If the parents feel that the charter would provide a better education for their kid, they should be allowed to make that choice - not you, me or the government.
The House Bill got only 27 republicans to support it. Support was so bad it never even got a committee vote. I doubt much will change. The senate killed the last bill as well.
27 plus 50 carries the day. I didn't look at the final vote, but if it passed, it passed. I bet the Senate passes it as well this year.
Senate = Idiots x 2
10:20; Ain't it a shame this blog-site won't allow one to delete a post?
Did Gerard Gibert ever double as Mr. Potato Head?
Post a Comment