Sharing accurate, research-based information is an important strategy when seeking support for change. It serves to reduce the emotion and can facilitate meaningful discussion. According to a report submitted to the Wisconsin legislature, 61 districts in Wisconsin took advantage of charter school law and the availability of federal charter school grant funds to support charter school development during the 2001-2002 school year. Federal charter school grant funds are vital to growing the movement. Passing charter school law renders the state eligible for significant federal grant dollars to support new charter school start up. While the receipt of federal start-up grant funds did not guarantee that a proposal would lead to the opening of a new charter school, the study did find a strong relationship between charter school grant funding decisions made by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and petition/contract approval at the district level, and the subsequent opening of a new charter school. States need to access federal dollars to support the movement. Failure to approve charter law denies options in this era of increased accountability and promotion of increased public school options.
Posted as a reply to:
Influencing Policy by Bob Montgomery 
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