Massachusetts charter-school restriction examined

The hope of many Districts in Boston to witness a total lift in the cap on Charter schools may not come to reality. Although, according to Rep. Alice Peisch, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Education told News Service that a more modest lift could be in the works.

“I think there are under-performing Districts that have reached the cap, Boston and Holyoke, that kind of change I think, it is more likely than a total cap lift. Some modest change is possible. I don’t want to say we are definitely going to do it.” Peisch says.

The reports according to the Charter School Association said that Currently, Boston, Holyoke, Chelsea, North Adams and Greenfield are frozen. Other cities with room for one more new charter are Lowell, Lawrence, Somerville, Everett, Randolph, Salem, Fitchburg, Gardner, Webster and Southbridge.

Charter Schools are Public schools operating under a different set of rules than the typical state-run schools organization or individual can apply to start a charter school, approved ones are funded by state and managed by a Community Board rather than a School Board. Students eligible for public school can also apply to a charter school. The aim of a charter school is to improve the academic chances and performance of those at high- risk and the academically gifted.

Charter Schools are not allowed to provide transportation, breakfast or lunch for students but are allowed to serve International students, stray from the traditional 180-day school calendar and to employ non-certified teachers and offer employment on short term contracts.