Chater Schools Are Not What They Are Cracked up to Be

Charter Schools are Not What They are Cracked Up to be

Charter schools try to provide another option for parents as to where to send their kids for an education. The truth is that charter schools are not doing as well of a job as they say they are going to. Charter schools cause public schools financial harm, religious intrusion, and cause a Balkanizing effect.

Charter schools cause public schools financial harm. Charter schools are funded by the state, therefore the money must come from somewhere. Usually the public school will send the charter school a portion of their money. The state will sometimes just send a part of what the public school would have received to the charter school. Other times the state will send resources that should have been sent to improve public schools get sent to help budget charter schools instead. Through everything public schools tend to lose the financial battle. "This simplistic argument totally ignores the economic concept of marginal cost. It cost less to educate the 24th student in the class than the initial 5, 10, 15 or 20" (Bernstein 229). Basically, it takes more money away from the public school than what is given to them. As we all know public schools are funded by the tax-payer. For public schools to get the funding they need to make up for the money given to charter schools they must raise taxes. Many parents who send their children to public schools are not going to go for this simply because they do not feel the need to help support the charter school when their own child is going to the public school. Not only that, but there are times when the people who took the charter out take full advantage of the money that is supposed to be used to purchase computers, desks, or other necessary items for a school. Instead of buying the important things they go out and purchase things for themselves, and never look back. Not only is money always an issue but so is separation of church and state.

Charter schools open up a soft underbelly to religious intrusion. Some charter schools are located on church properties and therefore hold a significant relation to that church or religion. Several private religious schools have been known to close their doors and open up a charter school. This is only to benefit the families of that religious school. Many charter schools also have the staff of a church and therefore are their teachers. Meaning, one may have a pastor for a history or biology teacher. In both instances this could cause a severe sway from the teachings that the State of Texas, if not the Federal Court deems appropriate in the classroom of public education. We have to remember the idea of separation of church and state. Students are not allowed to pray at sporting events anymore, yet we are allowing schools funded by the state to teach religious beliefs. "The U.S. Constitution speaks loudly and clearly against religious intrusion into the public schools. In spite of Supreme Court cases defining the nature of permissible involvements, the issue is never truly resolved" (232). Therefore what the court decides in such situations could severely affect public schools finances, religion influence, and the general religious associations that charter and regular public schools alike are allowed to have. Religion is a very important aspect but segregation is as equally important.

The final, yet possibly the most important