Charter school question...

[cynatnite]

I just read that Gov. Haslam here in TN lifted the cap on charter schools here in TN. I expect to see some radical changes to our school system as a result which bothers me a lot. My fear is that money for public schools will be funneled to charter and private schools.

I've read that conservative leaning ideals are being taught in charter schools as well.

My question is this: Are they getting religion in the classroom at these schools? Are they trying to get creationism in a science classroom in charter schools?

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. In some charters, yes

There are religious charters in Florida. And there is a national chain of charters operating under a couple different names that is run by a Turkish guy with connections to a church in Turkey. Not all of these Turkish charters are teaching religion, but it certainly appears the potential for that is in place.

[alstephenson]

2. Charter schools ARE public schools.

As a public school, religion can not legally be taught in the classroom during class hours. Every state's charter school laws are different, so charter schools can not be painted with a broad brush stroke.

[cynatnite]

3. I have no experience with these where we live...

Thanks for the clarification.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. There are religious charter schools.

Florida has several of them.

[Peregrine]

9. Where

As far as I know, the state (as fkd up as it is) has yet to cross that line. One school that uses an Ed program from Scientology has had their charter revoked, as has a Moslem school.

But if they exist let me know

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/09/1004935/-Florida-Christian-school-magically-becomes-public-charter-school

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/florida-public-charter-sc_n_1307034.html

And here's one in Texas:
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20101122-charter-schools-with-ties-to-religious-groups-raise-fears-about-state-funds_use.ece

[Curmudgeoness]

7. Charter schools are private schools.

Every charter school that I know of in PA is either a for-profit school, a not-for-profit school, or a religious school. But they are not public schools. The only part of them that is public is the tuition----and that comes from the taxes paid to the public school. The tax money follows the student from the public school funding to the charter school when they move to one.

[hack89]

11. Not in Rhode Island - they are public schools. nt

[lutefisk]

18. Not in Wisconsin, either.

My town has over ten "charter" schools and they are public schools in every way the other schools in the district are public schools. States really vary in the statutes defining and regulating "charter" schools.

Of course if Walker wins the recall election today, I have no doubt the privatization of our state's public school system will be on his "to do" list. Then, it will all be private.

[Curmudgeoness]

19. Then everyone has to worry about the direction this is going.

I just ran into a new post in the PA forum regarding what is happening here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10741754

And this is where the business friendly Republicans want to go.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Also, this varies widely from state to state

Every charter is allowed to make their own rules and operate outside of traditional state regulations for public schools. So there very well could be states that prohibit the teaching of religion in charter schools.

You should read the charter school law in Tennessee to find out exactly what charters can and can't teach in that state.

[cynatnite]

6. Found a link for TN...

Thanks for the info. This is very helpful.

[Peregrine]

10. The state charter law would be irrelevant

Religion in school may be allowed by state law, but not by the us constitution

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. Tell that to the Florida charters.

[HopeHoops]

8. Yes.

The earth is 6,000 years old and Jesus rode on dinosaurs - oh, they were also on the ark but somehow failed to eat anything but the unicorns.

[cynatnite]

14. I keep telling my son that, but he looks at me funny. n/t

[HopeHoops]

16. Tell him to read the Bible and count up the days.

It amazes me that people can't comprehend that Genesis is allegorical and Leviticus is basically a health code.

[craigmatic]

15. Charter schools are just a way to decrease teachers' pay. It's a scam and they aren't any

better than regular schools.

[HopeHoops]

17. They're worse. Public schools outperform charter schools all over the country.

I have no problem paying taxes for public schools. I DO have a problem paying for a school that doesn't even have to live up to the standards of a public school.