Introduction:
Welcome to our collection of insightful quotes on charter schools, a topic that ignites debates and discussions within educational circles and beyond. Charter schools, often seen as an alternative to traditional public schools, operate with varying degrees of autonomy and are held accountable for achieving specific performance outcomes outlined in their charter agreements. Advocates argue that charter schools offer innovation, flexibility, and choice to families seeking alternatives to traditional public education, while critics raise concerns about accountability, equity, and the potential for privatization within the education system.
As voices from educators, policymakers, parents, and scholars contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding charter schools, these quotes reflect diverse perspectives, shedding light on the complexities and controversies inherent in this educational model. Whether you’re a proponent, skeptic, or curious observer, the following quotes offer valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with charter schools.
Charter schools were supposed to compete with public schools, and in turn, that competition was meant to improve education. But that wasn’t the end result. Ana Kasparian
The ‘niche’ effect of charter schools guarantees a swift and vicious deepening of class and racial separation. Jonathan Kozol
Every school, including voucher and charter schools, must be held to strict accountability standards. John Bel Edwards
Charter schools in particular have proven a lifeline for millions of children stuck in chronically failing schools. Rachel Campos-Duffy
In ‘The Founders,’ his new book about top charter schools, Richard Whitmire traces both the ‘revolution’ these schools brought about in many American cities as well as a parallel phenomenon, ‘the charter pushback campaigns.’ Campbell Brown
New Hampshire charter schools have proven themselves to be an integral part of our state’s high-quality public education system for thousands of students. Chris Sununu
Most charter schools admit students by random lottery, making it impossible for them to pick only the best. Rachel Campos-Duffy
Very few charter schools are being created in some of the best school districts in the state. If you’re an educational innovator, that isn’t where the greatest need is. John Engler
The strongest results were in Florida and Texas. In just one year in a Texas charter school, an average student gained 7 percentile points in math and 8 percentile points in reading, while Florida charter schools improved student performance by 6 percentile points. Maggie Gallagher
Charter schools have a far higher proportion of teachers who are not certified. Maggie Gallagher
Meanwhile, parents, students and teachers all report higher satisfaction with charter schools. People like them. They cost less money. They raise the academic achievement of poor kids. Go ahead, get a little enthused. Maggie Gallagher
Whoever becomes Education Secretary has to have a love and passion for public schools. Not charter schools, not vouchers, but public schools. Jamaal Bowman
I’m grateful for the educators and administrators who have helped make charter schools available to students and parents, and look forward to their continued success in educating America’s next generation of leaders. Tommy Tuberville
I believe public education is the new civil rights battle and I support charter schools. Andrew Cuomo
Republicans get a lot of money from big business, but they are not tied to the union dollar. As a result they have been aggressive advocates of school reform, charter schools and vouchers for private schools. Juan Williams
I hate tenure. Tenure allows teachers to put their feet up on the desk and possibly have a job forever. That’s why I got turned on to charter schools. It’s a business model. Every employee and every teacher will be monitored by performance. Jalen Rose
I expect there will be more public charter schools. Betsy DeVos
You look at public education system, charter schools, infrastructure, in so many ways New Orleans has come back stronger. Drew Brees
We have a law that allows us to establish charter schools here in this state. We ought to get going on it. Craig Benson
I would argue that the charter schools are really good at building programming and curriculum around the issues and the interests of the kids that they serve. Charlie Baker
If we don’t have a responsive democracy, all the debates about charter schools, and fracking, and high-stakes testing, and the militarization of police forces – all of which are issues I care about they aren’t real debates. Zephyr Teachout
Indeed the Obamas, the Clintons, and many other elites who oppose school choice and make it harder for charter schools to operate, send their own children to private institutions that cost more than many Hispanic families make in a year. Rachel Campos-Duffy
About half my work in education is U.S. political reform around school districts and charter schools, and creating more room for entrepreneurial organizations to develop. And about half on technology, which I look at as a global platform. Reed Hastings
Charter schools are public schools that operate, to a certain extent, outside the system. They have more control over their teachers, curriculum and resources. They also have less money than public schools. Maggie Gallagher
An early attempt at education choice was charter schools. These were meant to attract the best and brightest students and provide them a level of education they often could not find in their local school districts. The problem is that, of the thousands of charter schools, many are outright failures. Bob Beckel
Charter schools are not a panacea. Bob Beckel
Whatever motivates the enemies of charter schools, you cannot describe it as anything but evil. How else do you characterize adults willing to sacrifice the welfare of powerless children to entrench their own power? Miranda Devine
The public education landscape is enriched by having many options – neighborhood public schools, magnet schools, community schools, schools that focus on career and technical education, and even charter schools. Randi Weingarten
Arizona is a national leader in school choice with both charter schools and tuition tax credits giving parents and their children more school choices than ever before. Jane D. Hull
I’ve seen public charter schools give parents a valuable option for students in Alabama and across the country. Tommy Tuberville
It’s time to update traditional public schools, charter schools, home schools, online schools and parochial schools. Let the dollars follow the child instead of forcing the child to follow the dollars, so that every child has the opportunity to attain an education. Bobby Jindal
Some people need a targeted kind of learning. They need a different approach, like charter schools. There are virtual classrooms that some will do well in. The reality is, if there are no options, if there is just one particular standard, then someone is going to fall through the cracks, as we’ve seen. Martin Luther King III
Parents and grandparents ought to understand the importance of making sure the next generation excels – and charter schools have proven extraordinarily successful nearly everywhere they’ve been tried. Rachel Campos-Duffy
One of my main legislative efforts in education is to help expand and replicate successful charter schools. Charter schools are public schools with site-based governance. Jared Polis
