Greater Accountability in Charter Schools Results in Hot News Stories

The vast majority of Coloradans know about charter schools either from what they read in the newspaper or what they know about one operating in their neighborhood. In fact, many people still believe charter schools charge tuition, which they don't because they're public school like the traditional neighborhood schools.

Since the Charter Schools Act became law in 1993, charter schools have been quick to appear in news stories. The first school to open, Academy Charter School in Castle Rock, terminated their principal in September due to a moral issue. A few years later, Academy of Charter Schools in Westminster, came under scrutiny when it was revealed that their governing board members had "terms for life" and had purchased fax machines for themselves to communicate with each other. There was also the Cherry Creek Academy firing of a principal who cried "foul" and got air time on radio news stations and local TV outlets. Plus, most everyone can remember the Jeffco charter school, then called the Community Involved Charter School, which had students on a field trip up in the Buffalo Creek area who started a devastating fire.

I could continue with the many stories about charter schools that have been aired for public scrutiny. The point is that charter schools have a greater level of accountability because of the means by which they are established. In exchange for greater freedom, charter schools have greater accountability. That's why when school district Board of Education members or school district principals make the same mistakes, we don't hear about them as much or with as great of detail.

Greater accountability is a good thing. People making decisions for the use of public taxpayer money should be transparent about how the money is being used and be able to justify the validity of their decisions. Bringing unwise decisions to public scrutiny is a good thing! Maybe other education leaders will think twice before making their own bad decisions when they realize what the potential outcome could be.

When you read about another "scandal" within the charter school community, don't blame all the charter schools operating in Colorado and cast the blame widely. Instead, realize that the charter school philosophy is working. And hope that everyone in public education (not just charter schools) embraces the same level of accountability.