Issue Paper: Charter Schools

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Some Rhode Island charter schools are part of school districts, while other charter schools exist outside of public school districts and are not under the control of a school committee.  They operate under the authority of a contract, or charter, granted to the school's governing board.  The authority to grant a charter varies from state to state.  In Rhode Island, the authority to grant a charter rests with the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education.  These schools are funded by state and local tax dollars based on a formula that requires wealthier districts to pick up a good portion of the cost.

Rhode Island law does not specify any education program.  It allows schools to be operated in a different manner than the current system.  Proponents argue that real education reform is not happening under school districts.  They argue that charter schools will lead to greater experimentation.

Opponents to charter schools argue that if the purpose is to improve all public schools, then reforms should be geared to all schools, not a small minority of special schools.  Schools are public not only because of the public money used to support them, but because they are accountable to a public body, such as an elected school committee.  Privately run charter schools are ruled by a self-selected board, not publicly elected officials.

The Rhode Island Charter School legislation, passed in 1998, allows independently run charter schools.  The law requires that these schools be funded just like any other public school, which means that school districts must pay for charter schools even though the school district has absolutely no authority over the school.

In 2008, the General Assembly passed a law permitting mayors to operate charter schools.  The Assembly also eliminated prevailing wages, pension, and tenure rights of “Mayoral Academy” charter school teachers.

AFL-CIO POSITION

The Rhode Island AFL-CIO does not oppose charter schools.  We support public charter schools that are part of the school districts.  An example would be the charter school operated by the Laborers' International Union of North America in Cranston.  The Rhode Island AFL-CIO contends that under the 1998 Charter School Bill, before the state grants a charter to a school that is independent of the school district, the city or town hosting the charter school should have to approve the proposal.  To do otherwise would mean that school budgets would have to be cut or taxes raised to fund these experimental schools—a direct form of taxation without representation. In addition, the Rhode Island AFL-CIO does not oppose Mayors being involved in charter schools, but we oppose the elimination of prevailing wage, pension and job security protection for mayoral academy charter school staff.