Charter schools have long been politicized. Conservatives like them because they allow parents to opt out of the failing public school systems. Charter schools aren’t part of the standard school system. They are “chartered” separately, with a set mission and goals. Many try new or even innovative styles of teaching.

 

Liberals oppose them as a threat to traditional public education. The National Education Association nominally supports charters – and those are little different than the public schools. In effect, the teachers union has opposed any innovation.

 

That political landscape has had a bit of an earthquake. Sen. Barack Obama declared his own support for charter schools. He promised to “double funding for charter schools.”

 

“Charter schools that are successful will get the support they need to grow. And charters that aren’t will get shut down. I want experimentation, but I also want accountability,” the Democratic presidential candidate reportedly told the audience.

 

In a Metro area plagued by school systems falling short of education goals, this is good news. That is, if Obama means it. The education section of Obama’s campaign Web site shows no mention of the word “charter.” His GOP opponent Sen. John McCain has taken a stronger position for charter schools and has shown support for school choice or vouchers, which Obama still opposes.

 

Maybe this election will bring a real discussion about education –- finally.

           

It’s long overdue. State officials were actually pleased when 84 percent of elementary and middle schools hit reading and math standards mandated by the No Child Left Behind law. That means 16 percent failed. Not exactly something to cheer about.

           

By comparison, Baltimore City’s “success” was an embarrassment. City schools earned their largest improvements on the test and slightly more than half made adequate progress. Just 54 percent of the city’s elementary and middle schools met the standard. No wonder there hundreds of people are on the waiting lists for some charter schools. That anyone would cheer this shows just how far the city school system has to go to be viable.

 

The city isn’t alone as a problem area. Carroll County was the only spot in the Baltimore area where all schools made their goals. One way that systems are dealing with the failures is replacing staff. The number of state schools resorting to that option has nearly doubled in just three years, but it can be pricey. Annapolis High replaced 40 percent of its administrators and teachers to the tune of $3 million.

 

Just another example of why we need smart alternatives like charters. But it’s a slow process. Until campaign discussions lead to true educational reforms, we can be thankful that someone is learning to give charters more of a chance.