Interestingly, not only do charter schools operate within a different set of curriculum rules, they are non-union. If you think this is not a problem, consider that they are puppy mills for teachers. If a teacher can not produce exceptional test scores (”breed” them into students), they are let go. No charter school (KIPP, Aspire, etc.) worth its weight shows the true statistics of test scores and turn over of students and staff. Teachers at charter schools burn out considerably faster than teachers at reqular public and private schools. In addition, most teachers at charter schools are single (they “marry” their charter school) and younger than 30.  Parents believe they are getting “choice”or something new, however, charter schools do not outperform public schools, they just have better marketing. If you go to various charter school web sites, you will notice no “noteworthy”news has occurred in a couple years that makes them stand out from their counterparts in regular public ed. Oh yes, I forgot, charter schools are not tied to providing special ed services since they get less proportionate money. Since charters are schools of choice, parents are asked to “waive” out of special ed programs (IEP, etc.). Most charter schools are so dysfunctional that if anyone looked at the true data over 5, 10 years, they would be appalled. We only see what we wish and clearly there are a lot of business people out there selling us what they think we need – I believe this is akin to American car makers – and we know where that industry is just now. 

Interestingly, not only do charter schools operate within a different set of curriculum rules, they are non-union. If you think this is not a problem, consider that they are puppy mills for teachers. If a teacher can not produce exceptional test scores (”breed” them into students), they are let go. No charter school (KIPP, Aspire, etc.) worth its weight shows the true statistics of test scores and turn over of students and staff. Teachers at charter schools burn out considerably faster than teachers at reqular public and private schools. In addition, most teachers at charter schools are single (they “marry” their charter school) and younger than 30.  Parents believe they are getting “choice”or something new, however, charter schools do not outperform public schools, they just have better marketing. If you go to various charter school web sites, you will notice no “noteworthy”news has occurred in a couple years that makes them stand out from their counterparts in regular public ed. Oh yes, I forgot, charter schools are not tied to providing special ed services since they get less proportionate money. Since charters are schools of choice, parents are asked to “waive” out of special ed programs (IEP, etc.). Most charter schools are so dysfunctional that if anyone looked at the true data over 5, 10 years, they would be appalled. We only see what we wish and clearly there are a lot of business people out there selling us what they think we need – I believe this is akin to American car makers – and we know where that industry is just now.