Dive Brief:
- On Thursday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker put forward legislation that would allow more growth in the number of charter schools in the state.
- The bill would allow up to 12 new or expanded charter schools a year, with a focus on low-performing districts.
- The state currently caps the number allowed at 120, with 80 now in operation.
Dive Insight:
A recent lawsuit from a group of Boston-area parents is seeking to force the state to open the door for far more growth. It’s not clear if Baker’s proposal could satisfy their demands, but his focus on low-performing districts echoes their complaints about inadequate high-quality options. Still, Massachusetts has been historically reluctant to open the door to more charter schools, making it a notable holdout as states nationwide see growth in charter school numbers and enrollment.
It’s an interesting moment for charter school expansion. In Ohio, which has seen an extreme charter boom, flaws in state oversight have prompted a reckoning over the quality of the schools. And in Washington, also a reluctant adopter, the state Supreme Court cut off charters’ access to state funds for public education, imperiling their future in the state.