Charter school debate heats up

Editor's Note: This guest post is from MSTA's Political Action Manager, Krista Meyer.

Charter schools have been a topic of conversation in the Missouri capitol for more than a decade.

Although this New York Times article focuses on one family in Manhattan, it touches on many issues that have come up in Missouri regarding charter schools: serving children with disabilities, how children transition between traditional public schools and charter schools and how parents and teachers work together to reach the educational goals of the student. All public schools must deal with the complex issues of educating children withvarying skill levels and backgrounds.

Many people in traditional public schools worry the flexibility charter schools have regarding accepting and releasing students can be manipulated for reasons other than those that are best for the students. Since charter schools don’t have the same mandate as traditional public schools to educate every child that attends, some people believe that charter schools don’t face the same challenges that traditional public schools do.

Ultimately, this story is one of success: Mathew ends up in a school environment that allows him to thrive and excel. But not all charter school stories end the same.

What did you think of the article? What do you think the future holds charter schools?