Concerned with many aspects of a proposed complex education reform bill that moved through the State Senate on a very fast track, JALSA has sent the following letter to the Boston Globe concentrating on the specific privatization implications of the bill.

The proposed Massachusetts Education Reform Act, in a change from current law, would allow education management companies to run networks or chains of charter schools in several cities, under a single board of trustees. In fact, the state board of education would be required to give preference to applicants seeking to run multiple schools, a complete contradiction from the original claim that charter schools would be “grassroots” organizations. Given the spotty record in Massachusetts of corporate-run charter schools – many of their contracts have been terminated for poor performance – this provision in the Senate bill, now pending in the House, is a troubling retreat from local control and accountability. Also, the Senate proposal expands the number of years from five to ten such charter schools can operate without a renewal of their charter, further decreasing public oversight.

The diversion of significant public funds to these schools further exasperates the financial plight of our public urban schools and the children who need the most services.  Because the Mass. funding mechanism for charters has been sympathetic to the needs of charters, more money per student has been made available to charters than has been the case for students in traditional public schools (for example, no need to pay retired teachers with any portion of their funds).  The result is less money left for the majority of students who will continue to attend traditional public schools.

Sheila Decter