Michigan Republicans narrowly passed a bill on Thursday that would raise the cap on what are commonly referred to as "cyber" charter schools. The bill was one of six measures the Senate passed that Republicans say would give more parents more choices in their children's education.
The move to lift the cap on cyber charter schools follows very closely behind another recent measure passed by state Republicans that would lift the cap on brick-and-mortar charter schools as well. The Republicans' push toward regular and cyber charter schooling has been very controversial, as oversight and accountability in charter schools is still virtually nil in the state.
Why are state Republicans pushing charter schools so strenuously?
In general, state Republicans claim the push toward lifting the cap on the establishment of charter schools is about giving parents more choices. Additionally, some have pointed out the advantage of cyber schools to home-schooling parents and school dropouts. They are pushing not only to lift the cap on the number of them allowed in the state but also to allow them the same per-student funding as a typical public school, which is to be paid through the state's public school funds.
Some have pointed out the timing of this push seems odd. Charter schools tend to be run through businesses, as opposed to traditional public schools. Critics have alleged there might an element of this push for more charter schools that is politically or personally advantageous, or both.
Why is a potential increase so controversial?
Partially for the reasons listed above, but also because of the lack of state oversight and accountability that charter schools enjoy in Michigan. Additionally, it has been shown in several studies that sought to measure the performance of charter schools vs. traditional public schools that charter schools, as a general rule, do not perform at the same level as their traditional counterparts. Charter schools have also widely been accused of turning away special needs students and of being racially segregated.
Add to that the question of money. Cyber schools are being heavily investigated around the nation. In Ohio, a study revealed the state's 23 "E-schools" are far more expensive than traditional public schools and provide, according to the study, "dismal" results.
How widespread is the opposition to lifting the cap on charter schools?
An EPIC-MRA poll conducted in late September showed the opposition to charter schools is definitely there. Some 52 percent of Michigan voters voiced opposition to the idea of lifting the cap.
The vote in the state Legislature has been relatively close. The bill on cyber schools passed the Senate on Thursday 20-18. Six Republicans voted against the measure along with all of the Senate Democrats.
The measures now go to the state House. It is uncertain as to whether Gov. Rick Snyder will sign the bills. These measures go further in their educational reforms than anything he has previously proposed.
Vanessa Evans is a musician and freelance writer based in Michigan, with a lifelong interest in politics and public issues.
