NY Times: Virtual Charters Suck

 ...and EMOs ain't far behind.

This Wednesday, June 6th, the NJ Board of Education is going to vote on changes to charter regulations to bring FOR-PROFIT education management firms (EMOs) and virtual charters to New Jersey. 

From the NY Times:

From SaveOurSchools.org:

On June 6th, 2012 the State Board of Education will hear public testimony on Acting Commissioner Cerf’s proposed amendments to N.J.A.C. 6A:11, the existing regulations that govern charter schools.

Acting Commissioner Cerf’s proposed amendments are an attempt to circumvent the legislature and the will of New Jersey residents, who overwhelmingly support local democratic approval of new charter schools. 

These regulations would give the Commissioner the ability to expand existing charter schools into new school districts, change a charter school’s mission and goals, and enlarge its grade and enrollment levels, with no local community input or oversight.

These regulations also would open the door to nationally discredited virtual charter schools, despite the fact that New Jersey’s charter school law does not allow such schools to exist.

Charter schools should also be concerned about these regulations because they give the Commissioner the ability to close existing charter schools at any time and for any reason, without so much as a probationary period.

Sign our petition to ask the State Board of Education to reject these regulatory changes and to support local democratic control of our public schools.