Lawmakers Reject Bills That Would Have Disastrous Impact On Parent Power
WASHINGTON DC- Louisiana lawmakers have rejected a half-dozen bills by opponents of charter schools in the past two weeks to restrict their autonomy and growth, thanks to the work of community leaders, parents and charter school advocates.
“It was very gratifying to see our state legislators recognize the need for educational options for the children in Louisiana,” said Gene Thibodeaux, chairman of the Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation, Inc and the Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation, Inc. “I am very proud to know that our state will not let down the tens of thousands of students who desperately need choices where traditional public schools have failed them. A child’s future should not be governed by his or her zip code. A high quality education is the right for all students, not just those with financial benefits, but every student.”
Bills designed to limit further charter schools from opening or even getting approved by third party, objective authorizers were backed by the state’s governor. Governor Edwards is the first since Katrina to oppose the creation of new public charter schools that have already transformed the state’s education system and have been a model for others. Charter leaders in the state have been surprised and saddened at the increasing opposition of policymakers to the school improvement efforts charter schools have achieved.
There are currently more than 100 charter schools in Louisiana serving approximately 75,000 students, 82.5 percent of which are economically disadvantaged.
Several bills that would’ve had disastrous impacts on educational opportunity in Louisiana flopped in committees last week. As one example, Senate Bill 170 would have banned the approval of charter schools in districts rated A or B, despite the fact that even in Louisiana’s A and B districts, there are 124 schools rated D and F. Other bills that did not make it out of committee include HB 167, which would have disallowed BESE’s authorization of new charters any year when the state lowered its spending on education. HB 879 would have prohibited all charter schools from contracting with for-profit charter management organizations.
“Amazing things can happen for kids when adults reject the status quo and come together to support them,” said Jeanne Allen, Founder and CEO of The Center for Education Reform. “The solidarity shown by so many to improve opportunities for children in the Bayou State over the years since Katrina is a true example of how an educational reform community must work together to affect positive momentum in the future.”
“The battle is not over, however,” said Allen. While House Bill (HB) 98, which would have killed independent charter oversight, was rejected last week, a similar bill, Senate Bill 260, passed 5-2 and awaits action in the Senate.
For more information, contact the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools.