Great Schools Massachusetts: Senate bill misses the mark

Last week, the State Senate passed legislation that will limit educational options for Massachusetts families. Though described as a cap lift, the bill curtails the expansion of public charter schools in low-performing districts by counting Innovation Schools and Horace Mann charters against district charter spending caps, and by giving local school committees new authority to block charter openings.

Following the passage of the bill, Great Schools Massachusetts immediately issued the following statement:

“The Senate’s action today does nothing to expand access to high quality public charter schools for the thousands of families in urban communities that desperately want it. In contrast to the rhetoric, the cap lift in the Senate bill is basically non-existent, and in Boston where the wait list numbers 12,000, would result in a net loss of 3,241 seats over 10 years. Adding insult to injury, the bill would also place additional burdens under the guise of 'reforming' what are the highest performing charter schools in the nation."

The bill now heads to the House, where we will continue to advocate for a legislative solution, but only one that effectively addresses the needs of the 34,000 children currently waiting for their chance to attend a high-quality public school.

For more information please visit www.CharterFactsMA.org and join us on Twitter @GreatSchoolsMA and @CharterFactsMA