To be honest my greatest concern is for slow learners, minorities and special education. The main thing to remember about Charter Schools unlike parochial or religious schools is charter schools are a business and business bottom line is for profit! Charter Schools are not performing any better then the Public Schools.
Charters do not have to provide access to all students.
Charters cost cities millions and spend more per capita.
Charter Schools are not public.
In start up how many schools license or charter are rescinded? Children will be lost in the failures of Charter Schools and the Rich with connections will succeed as all are only accountable to their board of trustees?
Cute Cat

http://www.aft.org/topics/charters/index.htm

The American Federation of Teachers strongly supports charter schools that embody the core values of public education and a democratic society: equal access for all students; high academic standards; accountability to parents and the public; a curriculum that promotes good citizenship; a commitment to helping all public schools improve; and a commitment to the employees' right to freely choose union representation.

Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are granted autonomy from some state and local regulations in exchange for meeting the terms of each school's charter. State laws, which vary widely, govern who can authorize charters, who can apply for them, and the total number allowed. Today, there are more than 4,000 charter schools across 40 states and the District of Columbia, enrolling more than 1 million children.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/03/...on_ap.html?tkn=[QNFlzL9f%2FgUVg4Tpgs7NKv8K8wIRkklsAM7&print=1

Published Online: March 10, 2009
Obama Backs Teacher Incentives, Tougher Standards
By The Associated Press

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Washington

President Barack Obama on Tuesday embraced a new approach to education that would reward good teachers, remove limits on charter schools and lengthen both the school day and the school year.

Obama acknowledged that some of his proposals, which constitute the heart of Obama's vision of 21st century education reform, may generate some criticism.

Teachers' unions have often been critical of charter schools, which are typically nonunionized, arguing that they divert tax dollars away from traditional public schools. Merit-based systems for teachers have been anathema to the teachers' unions, a powerful force in Obama's Democratic Party, for many years.

"Too many supporters of my party have resisted the idea of rewarding excellence in teaching with extra pay, even though we know it can make a difference in the classroom," he said, delivering the first major education speech of his presidency before a meeting of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "Too many in the Republican Party have opposed new investments in early education, despite compelling evidence of its importance."

But he argued that a far-reaching overhaul of the nation's education system is an economic imperative that can't wait despite the urgency of the financial crisis and other matters.

"Despite resources that are unmatched anywhere in the world, we have let our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher quality fall short, and other nations outpace us," he said. "The relative decline of American education is untenable for our economy, unsustainable for our democracy, and unacceptable for our children. We cannot afford to let it continue. What is at stake is nothing less than the American dream."

The president went on to say, "I am calling on states that are setting their standards far below where they ought to be to stop low-balling expectations for our kids. The solution to low test scores is not lower standards—it's tougher, clearer standards."