Folks, please stop confusing charter schools with private schools.

[johnaries]

Definition of a charter school:

A public school operated independently of the local school board, often with a curriculum and educational philosophy different from the other schools in the system.

http://www.answers.com/topic/charter-school

•Charter schools are elementary or secondary schools in the United States that receive public money but have been freed from some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_schools

•A charter school is a school affiliated with a school district but is not subject to many of the same rules and regulations as a traditional high school in hiring faculty, and designing curricula and course offerings. ...
http://www.student-loans.com/college_student_loan_terms_C.html

Question: What is the difference between a charter school and a private school?
Answer: A charter school is regulated by more government restrictions than a private school because it receives government money to operate. Private schools have more freedom to run the school however they choose because they are privately funded. While almost all private schools charge tuition, charter schools do not. Both types of schools can be accredited. However, more charter schools are accredited than private schools.
http://distancelearn.about.com/od/onlinehsfaqs/f/onlinehsfaqs5.htm

A public school operated independently of the local school board, often with a curriculum and educational philosophy different from the other schools in the system.

charter school - an experimental public school for kindergarten through grade 12; created and organized by teachers and parents and community leaders; operates independently of other schools
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Charter+schools

I don't know where the meme of "charter schools are privatiazation" is coming from, but as you can see, it's simply not true. If you need more proof, simply Google the name of any state + "charter school" and read what that state's definition is. Most of them have their own website.

Basically, since a charter school usually operates outside of the direct influence of the board of education according to the parameters set forth in the charter granted by the state, that school is freed to try new and different techniques and is basically an experiment in different educational techniques.

Failing charter schools are usually closed very quickly.

By expanding the number of charter schools in a state, that state is able to try out new and different techniques without being tied down to the usual beauracracy and also by being able to try these techniques in individual schools rather than entire districts. Therefore, if a school's techniques fail the school is closed quickly which is much more difficult for a traditional public school.

I disagree with McCain that charter schools are the "wave of the future", but I beleive they can help us find the next wave that will actually help our students and can be applied to more schools.