Dive Brief:

• District of Columbia schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson says a "cannibalistic environment" will continue without better planning between charter and traditional public schools.  
• Henderson's comments came in response to news that a science-themed charter school is set to open this fall across the street from a traditional public school that services the exact same grades and also has a science slant.  
• Adding to Henderson's frustration is the fact that she learned about the new charter school through Twitter rather than a more organized and intentional dialogue.  

Dive Insight:

This lack of communication happened because DC does not require charter schools to share where they will be located when they apply with the DC Public Charter School Board. Perhaps if the board knew the location, it would have urged the school to look elsewhere.  

Henderson told the Washington Post that DC needs to have “a citywide conversation about how many schools do we need ... as opposed to continuing to allow as many schools as possible to proliferate.”

DC is not alone in feeling these strains. Charter schools are likely here to stay and, as they continue to expand, communication must occur between the two camps.