http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/NEWS04/803030353/1018/NEWS01
Later this month, legislators in Tennessee will determine whether to renew the state's 2002 charter school legislation. Twelve charters operate in the state, nine of them in Memphis and three in Nashville. Currently they can only enroll children from schools that failed to meet federal No Child Left Behind standards Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Jamie Woodson is sponsoring a bill that would eliminate the sunset provision and would open enrollment to all students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said he supports renewing the law and an increase in quality charter schools in the city. "Charter schools are not the panacea for improving our school system, but they do offer the type of learning environment needed for some students," he said. Operating under the looming threat of having their charters revoked has made it almost impossible for charter schools to secure bank loans for building improvements or to attract teachers, said Matt Throckmorton, executive director of the Tennessee Charter Schools Association. The authorization expires June 30. It's unclear what would happen to current charters if it isn't renewed, he said.
Source: Tennessean
Date: 03/03/2008
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