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Governor proposes huge expansion of charters
Feb. 2, 2006 NYSUT VP Maria Neira discusses the growth of charter schools in New York at an AFT conference. In a plan that would significantly increase support for charter schools, Gov. Pataki's budget proposes adding 150 more schools and giving private groups the authority to grant charters. "The governor said charter schools work, but the real answer is: We don't know yet," said Alan Lubin, executive vice president of New York State United Teachers. "This is a very dangerous expansion of an experiment that, so far, has had only mixed results. Meanwhile, he said, charters are draining resources from public schools. "Before we consider raising any cap, we should fix what's broken now." The governor's plan would: • increase the existing statutory cap on the number of charter schools from 100 to 250; • add a provision that charter schools authorized by New York City 's chancellor would not count against the statutory cap; • give the SUNY Board of Trustees the power to give not-for-profit organizations the authority to grant charters; and • give charter schools access to building aid and financing through the state Dormitory Authority. |
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