Massachusetts was the second state to authorize charter schools, under the Education Reform Act of 1993. Charter proponents made many promises: that all children would be welcome and would achieve at unprecedented levels; that charters would innovate and this would lead to improvements in traditional public schools as well. Eighty-one non-district charter schools are now open in Massachusetts, 25 of those in Boston. More than 31,000 students are enrolled.

In June 2012, as part of a review of the Education Reform Act of 1993, CPS released its analysis of charter schools in Massachusetts (click here to see the report). Their findings about the detrimental effect on students of some charter school practices, the increasing financial hit to district public schools, and the privatizing effect of an increasingly two-tier school system, led them to conclude that major reform is necessary, and that this is not the time to expand charter schools.

Come join Citizens for Public Schools on Saturday, January 25 at Madison Park High School for a forum and community discussion on charter schools in Massachusetts. Click here to register now.