At the last LWVIL Convention in 2013 the convention delegates voted to update the LWVIL Charter School position. On Wednesday, November 19 at the La Grange Library, the La Grange Area League will have a membership meeting to review and discuss the information compiled by the LWVVIL Charter School Study Committee. This will be preparation for a later consensus meeting on the questions from LWVIL. Since the LWVIL Committee has compiled lots of information you might want to check out some of the information prior to the November meeting. You can find articles and a video of a panel discussion at: http://www.lwvil.org/charter-schools.html

And to get you started thinking about all the issues with charter schools you will find the current LWVIL position on Charter Schools as well as the  nine Consensus Questions included in this newsletter. Any questions contact Kathi Graffam at graff5@aol.com

Current Position:

LWVIL Where We Stand 2013-15 Program

Charter Schools - adopted in 2001

LWVIL Position:

The League of Women Voters of Illinois believes that:      

• The Illinois State Board of Education should continue to monitor the progress of existing charters before supporting expansion, specifically looking for improvement in individual student test scores and achievement of the specific goals stated in the school's charter.
• Charters should be established by local school boards, with adequate provisions for public education and participation in the decision making process.
• An appeal process to the State Board of Education should remain in place as an option for charters who have been denied by their local school boards.

While we feel that advantages of charters largely outweigh the disadvantages, we have identified the following areas of concern:

• School funding. Charters do nothing to address the issue of equitable and adequate funding of education, including special education.
• Financial impact on underlying school districts, especially smaller districts. Charters place financial pressure on smaller districts by drawing money out of the traditional public schools.
• Privatization and profit-making. The LWVIL opposes the presence of private, for-profit companies in the governance of public education, as there could be a conflict between the interests of shareholders in the corporation and the citizens of the state.

LWVIL has also identified areas of opportunity resulting from charter schools:

• Innovation. Charters have a mandate to share innovations in teaching methods, curricula and standards of assessment for all stakeholders.
• Increased parental choice and involvement within the public school system.

LWVIL CHARTER SCHOOL STUDY

CONSENSUS QUESTIONS

For every part of each of the following 9 questions our League will be asked to respond with Yes, No or No Consensus.

ACCOUNTABILITY

For what should charter schools be held accountable?

1. The reasons for revoking or not renewing a charter should include that the school:

1. A.    Failed to meet content standards, pupil performance standards or school climate standards.B.Failed to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management (current law)C.Violated any provision of state or federal law from which the charter school was not exempted ( current law)D.Exceeded student expulsion rates or attrition rates of district schoolsE.Discriminated against students based on family economics, disability, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education servicesF.  Employed fewer than 90% teachers who are fully certified (would require a change in the law from the current 75% requirement for most charter schools)G.    Interfered with union organizingH.Used curriculum or instruction that failed to maintain the separation of church and stateI.    Failed to admit students throughout the year as space became availableJ. Failed to enforce truancy laws

How often should charter schools be held accountable for charter renewal?

2. Existing charter schools should be evaluated in incremental periods:

A.    not to exceed 5 years for purposes of charter renewal

B.   not to exceed 10 years for purposes of charter renewal

Who should hold charter schools accountable?

3. The authority for approving and renewing charters should reside in:

A.    A body which has been elected to oversee spending of taxpayer dollars (e.g., school districts outside of Chicago)

B.A body which has been appointed by a mayor (e.g., Chicago Public School Board)

C.The Illinois State Board of Education, which is appointed by the governor

D.A State Charter School Commission which is nominated by the governor and appointed by the Illinois State Board of Ed.

4. Local voters should be able through referendum to:

A.    Establish a proposed charter school (current law)

B.   Override a decision by the Charter Commission which reverses the decision of a local school board.

TRANSPARENCY

5. Like other public schools, charter schools should be subject to: