WHEREAS:

The laws that establish charter schools vary from state to state, but all of them encourage interested groups of people -- teachers, parents, community members and even private businesses -- to start a school or remake an existing school; and

WHEREAS:

Charter schools are financed with tax dollars, just like other public schools, but are not necessarily subject to the same rules and regulations and can be public or operated by a private company; and

WHEREAS:

Depending on state law, charter schools may be free to establish their own curriculums and procedures, hire staff that would not meet the qualifications for jobs in public schools and control the tax dollars they receive without the same oversight that applies to public schools; and

WHEREAS:

The first charter school opened in Minnesota in 1991 and by September 1999, 1,682 charter schools were operating in 31 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 350,000 children; and

WHEREAS:

Charter schools that operate under less stringent conditions than public schools may serve a political purpose; but they serve no educational purpose, and charter schools may, ultimately, have the same effect on school employees as privatization.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will maximize its efforts to oppose any initiatives that permit the creation of charter schools without the same standards and accountability measures followed by regular public schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That where charter school programs are permitted, they must:

• include standards for student achievement that are equal for charter schools and public schools;

   

• afford collective bargaining rights to charter school employees;

   

• have comparable certification and qualification requirements for charter school and public school employees for comparable jobs;

   

• give local school districts the right to approve -- and disapprove -- charter schools operating within their boundaries;

   

• ensure that charter schools are covered by open records and open meetings laws that apply to other taxpayer-funded public services;

   

• require charter schools to report demographic information on students and staff, financial information, information on student achievement and attendance, student and staff turnover, and other information that will enable comparisons of charter schools and public schools; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That funding for charter schools must not have a negative impact on regular public school programs.

SUBMITTED BY:

Veronica Montgomery-Costa, President and Delegate 
Milagros Rodriguez, Secretary and Delegate 
AFSCME Local 372, Council 37
New York