Dive Summary:
- A ballot measure in Georgia Tuesday gives voters the chance to amend their State Constitution so that anappointed statewide commission would be able to authorize new schools.
- Many in Georgia disagree over where the power to open charter schools should lie, with parents' abilities to choose schools at issue.
- Another ballot measure in Washington State could allow charters into that state for the first time.
From the article:
"... Here in Georgia, the future of charters, which are publicly financed but privately operated, could be determined Tuesday by a ballot measure that asks voters to amend the State Constitution so that an appointed statewide commission could authorize new schools.
Along with high-stakes testing and tenure changes, legislative efforts to expand charter schools are among the most contentious issues in education circles. Proponents say charters can experiment with new teaching strategies to help struggling students or those stuck in failing public schools. Detractors say the charters drain precious public money and energy from neighborhood schools. ..."