Senator Donnelly Charter School Op-ed

Last week, I joined my colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass An Act Enhancing Reform, Innovation, and Success in Education (The RISE Act).

The RISE Act is a balanced, thoughtful response to the charter school expansion debate and it addresses the two issues that are raised each time I’ve spoken to parents, advocates, students and organizations about charter schools and the future of public education here in Massachusetts.

First, I overwhelmingly hear that we need to fix the formula for funding education in Massachusetts so that every student has the opportunity to get a great education here, no matter where they live. Secondly, I hear about the need to level the playing field between charters and traditional public schools to address concerns that charters have an easier time producing strong academic results because they have the flexibility to choose who they educate through their application and retention policies. The RISE Act creates comprehensive solutions for both of these very important concerns.

Two years ago, I voted against a charter bill in the senate because it focused solely on lifting the cap and looked to create a dual system of education in Massachusetts where funding was siphoned from one group of students in favor of another. While it is not perfect, this new proposal ensures that charters function as they were intended to do: as collaborators with the public schools and districts they serve.

The reality is that charter schools will likely remain in our system, and indeed, many parents and students want to see charter enrollment grow. Recognizing this reality, this bill permits an increase in net school spending for charters from 18% to 23% for the lowest performing districts, allowing for an increase in the number of charter school seats in these districts. That spending increase, however, is tied to increases in Chapter 70 investments for all schools, recommended by the Foundation Budget Review Commission over a seven year schedule.

In my opinion, this funding mechanism is critical to the future of Massachusetts schools and why I voted in favor of the RISE Act. It allows for a modest increase in the charter funding cap but, by tying that increase to Chapter 70 aid, we ensure more funding for 100 percent of Massachusetts students, not just the 4 percent currently enrolled in charters.

The bill also puts district schools and charter schools on a level playing field by making several important changes in how charter schools function. It mandates an opt-out provision for the charter lottery which would create a unified enrollment system so that all students in a district are eligible for charter schools, not just those whose parents apply. Charters would also be required to fill seats that go empty during the school year and educate a student population that is more representative of the district they serve.

To address concerns about transparency, the legislation includes requirements for charters to make public their curriculum, discipline policies, and public and private funding sources; information that traditional public schools must provide today.

The RISE Act represents a collaboration of interests and ideas worthy of a state that is committed to education. It supports school innovation, specialization, and most importantly, creates a mechanism that will align our school funding formula with the true cost of educating all of our students in the 21st century. That’s something we should all get behind.