A “Both/And” Approach to Charter Schools

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I find the growth of charter schools in many districts leaves me conflicted. First, regulations around charters vary so widely from state to state, you can’t paint them with a broad brush. Second, it often feels like a zero-sum game, with only a certain number of liferafts available as families desperately jump ship from their struggling neighborhood schools.

But I like this piece by my boss, Peter Cunningham​—he lays out the pragmatic case for where we stand now for charters. They are a part of the urban education puzzle, and in many cases they are a great use of public dollars to provide an education that can actually challenge income inequality and the cycle of poverty. I’m encouraged by districts that are embracing and working with charters while doubling down on improving their traditional schools.