Tennessee Has Chance to Bolster Educational Options Through Charter School Law Improvements
Lawmakers Should Replicate Proven Charter School Policies
CER Press Release
Washington, DC
February 25, 2014
Tennessee lawmakers today have an incredible opportunity to help expand educational options to families and students in their state by improving the state’s charter school law.
“Opening the door to multiple, independent authorizers would increase the chance and opportunity for quality schools to flourish,” said Kara Kerwin, president of The Center for Education Reform.
“The Volunteer state still has a lot of work to do to meet parental demand and support the proliferation of quality charter schools. Public-private partnerships and for-profit entities in the charter sector have proven to be highly successful models in other states, providing not just a quality educational option for the community, but the capital and business acumen needed to run a successful school.”
Tennessee’s charter school law ranks 22nd out of 42 states and the District of Columbia because it does not allow for multiple, independent authorizers, whereas top-ranking states allow for multiple authorizing pathways.
States that allow for multiple, independent charter school authorizers have a strong, vibrant charter school sector. Tennessee lawmakers should take note of these best practices and open up the law to give parents and families greater access to educational options that best meet their needs.
