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| A Charter Victory in Georgia |
| posted by: Alix | March 22, 2012, 02:35 PM |
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While charter schools have been touted as a major component of the education reform movement, the battle to allow charters to exist still rages on in states across the country. In a victory for the charter school movement in Georgia, a constitutional amendment allowing the state to authorize new charter schools passed the state Senate this week in a bipartisan agreement that is expected to set a national precedent for the overall charter community. The measure, which creates a state charter school commission to approve charters rejected by local school boards, became a major focal point of the legislative session. The House passed it in March, but it stalled in the Senate. It was only on Monday that a bipartisan coalition was formed, giving the amendment more than the two-thirds it needed to pass. While the news is a legislative victory for charter schools, the voters of Georgia will now decide whether or not to support the amendment based on a ballot referendum vote during November's general election. If approved by voters, the amendment would reverse a ruling by the Georgia State Supreme Court that stated local charter schools commissions acted illegally in setting up schools despite objections from local school districts. Now the people will decide whether charter schools should be allowed in their state, and by what process they should be established. Proponents argue that without this state board approving charter schools, the movement in Georgia will be severely weakened. Under current law, charters are approved exclusively by school districts. Based on this model, potential charters are often rejected by self-motivated local school districts and are given no recourse or appeal process. The amendment would ensure a check on local school districts in serving as another means for charter approval. Parents are calling the decision an important victory for school choice in the state after experiencing charter school closures based on the state Supreme Court decision. "I'm elated. This is an exciting day for parents in Georgia," said parent activist Alisha Morgan. "When I look into the eyes of the girls at Ivy Prep, I know that I, along with a lot of other people are fighting to keep their schools open." Governor Nathan Deal also praised the decision as victory. "The General Assembly has acted wisely and courageously to give Georgians the choice to implement true local control: parental choice," Deal asserted in a statement to voters. "Starting a state-chartered school is not done easily or without lots of hard work, but we need a system that allows for this option." While the issue will be left up to voters in November, hopefully Georgians will recognize that charter schools can give both students and teachers options and aid communities that want to invest in new and imaginative ways of learning for their children. What do you think about the charter debate in Georgia? Comment below.
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