NCLB pays the charter movement a great compliment by adopting our high-stakes model of accountability. We need to capitalize on that. But NCLB also creates new markets for charters (through the choice option), and new economic opportunities for charters (as supplemental services providers). Of course, it also raises the stakes, as in the disaggregation of test data. Charters that chronically fail certain subgroups will be exposed, just like all other public schools.
We need to be vigilant about states and districts that try to use NCLB has a back-door path toward re-regulation -- for example, using the teacher-quality rules as the functional equivalent of teacher certification in states where charters aren't required to have certified teachers.
Posted as a reply to:
Impact of Federal Policy on the Charter School Movement by Bob Montgomery 
|
|
