Are charter schools really open to ALL of the public?

Charter schools were originally designed to provide an alternative for disadvantaged students in overcrowded, struggling urban schools.  The recent expansion of charters has revealed that districts with charter schools or schools of choice are also segregating students by socioeconomic status.

Why? Based on several studies, charter schools tend to attract more economically advantaged students, leaving the district’s public schools with a higher concentration of economically disadvantaged students.  (See studies here: 1, 2, 3)

The proposed charter school in Blount County does not plan to provide transportation, but most students in Blount County’s public schools ride the bus to school each day.  The only students that could attend the proposed charter school would be those who able to arrange their own transportation, which immediately leaves this “public” school out of the reach of most of our public school students.

Do we want a situation similar to this one in California?

If you’d like to comment on the impact the proposed charter school will have on all the students in Blount County, please attend the appeal hearing. There will be time for public comment at the hearing, or you can submit written comments afterward.

The charter school appeal hearing will be
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 11:30 am
Blount County Schools, Board Room
831 Grandview Drive, Maryville, TN 37803

If you are unable to attend, you can submit your comments after the hearing: Comments must be received in the State Board of Education office by 4:30 p.m. CST on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, to be considered. Submit comments to:
Dannelle F. Walker
General Counsel
Tennessee State Board of Education
9th Floor, 710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
FAX: (615) 741-0371
E-mail: Dannelle.Walker@tn.gov