Charter Schools Position Update2014-2105

League of Women Voters of Illinois

Welcome to our study!

League position dates back to ’01:• “Advantages largely outweigh

the disadvantages.”• “Charters have a mandate to

share innovations”• “Charters offer increased

parental choice and involvement”

Since then…• Much more research• Far more examples: over 140

campuses, 60,000 students in Illinois – primarily in Chicago

• Numerous bills proposed in General Assembly regarding issues that are not addressed in the current position.

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What are Charter Schools?

• Publicly-funded through taxes, state and federal grants

• Exempt from many mandates and restrictions

• Nonsectarian• Nonreligious• Non-profit• Not home-based

• Independent governing boards control:

• Curriculum• Staffing • Professional Development• Length of school day/year• Discipline

• Must locate their own building and equipment

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How are Charter Schools Established?

• Public may request one by referendum

• 5-year contract between local school district and governing board

• If the local district denies the charter, prior to 2011 appeal to Illinois State Board of Ed

• Prairie Crossing (Grayslake)• Southland College Prep (Richton)

• Since 2011, if a local district denies, appeal to Illinois Charter School Commission- created 2 Concept schools in Chicago

• Horizon Science Academy Belmont• Horizon Science Acad. McKinley Pk.

If district is overruled, the district is ordered to turn over money for the charters

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Purposes of creating Charters(according to IL school code)

• Improve learning with high, rigorous standards

• Expanded, nondiscriminatory learning experiences

for at-risk pupils

• Use of methods different from traditional public schools

• Develop new forms of measuring learning & achievement

• Create professional opportunities for teachers

• Provide expanded choice for parents and pupils

• Encourage parental & community involvement

• Meet rigorous content standards

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Charter schools are exempt from all state laws and regulations in the school code governing public schools and local school board policies, except laws and regulations pertaining to:

• The state's charter school law• Criminal background investigations of applicants for employment• Discipline of students• Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act• The section of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 regarding

indemnification of officers, directors, employees, and agents• Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act• Illinois School Student Records Act• School report cards• P-20 Longitudinal Education Data System Act• Non-discrimination • Health and safety laws applicable to public schools 6

FOR WHAT should charter schools be held accountable?Q1: Reasons for revoking or not renewing a charter should include…

What are core expectations of public schools in our democracy?

Background:Charter schools are considered public schools, and are funded with taxpayer dollars.

“Charter schools are publicly funded, independently operated schools that are allowed to operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools in exchange for increased accountability.” – National Charter School Resource Center

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Performance data are reported annually.

35 charter schools in 2013 support a proposed law to renew charter schools for terms up to 10 years. From ISBE Charter School Biennial Report January , 2014

HOW OFTEN should charters be held accountable?

Q2: Currently, existing charters must be evaluated in incremental periods not to exceed 5 years

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WHO should hold charters accountable?Q3: The authority for approving and renewing charters should reside in:

• Body elected to oversee taxpayers’ dollars (suburban school boards)

• Body appointed by a mayor (Chicago school board)

• Illinois State School Board (appointed by the Governor)

• State Charter School Commission (nominated by the Governor, appointed by ISBE)

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Should taxpayers have a voice?Q4:Local voters should be able through referendum to

• Establish a charter school if 5% of voters request it?

• Override a decision by the Commission reversing a denial by a school board?

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• How should taxpayer money be

protected?

• If a charter school is managed by a for-profit company, should they be required to reveal proprietary information that provide competitive edge?

TransparencyQ5: Like other public schools, charter schools should be subject to scrutiny…

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Education is a huge sector of the economy – where does the money go?Q6: Since charter schools receive public funding

• Public funds are being paid to these large for-profit educational management organizations operating schools in Illinois:

• Charter Schools USA • K-12 Inc.• Mosaica• Victory Education Partners

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What about equitable funding?Q7. Adequate and equitable funding for charters should be accomplished without harm to traditional public schools

• “As the state continues to fail to provide adequate or equitable education funding, 62% of districts are in deficit spending, and almost 1/3 of Illinois students are in districts that are in ‘financial early warning’ or ‘financial watch’. Are charter schools the best use of limited funding?" - Chicago Tribune 3/12/2014

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What about virtual charter schools?Q8: What are issues when education is delivered through computers outside of brick and mortar schools?

• Issues related to self-regulation of students

• Issues related to actual costs

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• Advantages largely outweigh disadvantages

• An area of opportunity is sharing innovations

• An area of opportunity is increased parental choice

Q9: Do League members still agree with some of the current wording?

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Timeline

September through January, 2015• Examine the issues, using study resources • Consensus meeting(s) must take place before end of January

January 31, 2015: Absolute final date to print & mail the consensus results to the LWVIL office.

February 2015: The state study committee drafts position revision based on League feedback

March 2015: State Board will vote whether to accept the revised wording of the positions

June 2015: Members vote whether to accept the reworded position at convention

Thank You!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.lwvil.org/charter-schools.html

QUESTIONS?charterstudy@lwvil.org.