Homewood-Flossmoor Area and Park Forest Area LWV's Host Charter School Consensus Meeting

The Homewood-Flossmoor Area and Park Forest Area Leagues of Women Voters have been working on the Charter School Update Study for the past four months to prepare for a Consensus Meeting on Saturday, January 17, at 10 a.m. at the Homewood Public Library. The first hour of the meeting, open to the public, will be a presentation of the charter school study materials so that participants will have a better understanding of the issues and problems relating to the role and operations of charter schools. In the second hour, members of their respective Leagues will gather to discuss the study questions and take consensus. Only League members may participate in the consensus.

This study does not attempt to resolve the issue of whether charter schools or traditional public schools achieve better outcomes. The primary question guiding this study is whether steps should be taken to tighten the school code so that such issues do not continue to arise. This study takes as a given that charter schools will likely be a part of public education in Illinois for the foreseeable future. Since charter schools are publicly funded, the study questions if these schools should be held to the same standards of accountability and transparency as those of traditional public schools.

League members need to help shape the position of the LWVIL (League of Women Voters of Illinois) so that we will have a reasonable and flexible position on this very important issue and have the ability to advocate for the best standards and regulations when legislation is proposed.

For more information, log on to lwvil.org, scroll down to ”charter school study,” and review some of the additional information provided.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. For more information about the Homewood-Flossmoor Area League, contact co-presidents Erin Roeper (708-828-5391) or Syvia Tillman (708-799-9721).