Editorial: State should lift cap on new charter schools

A new editorial in the Springfield Republican says that with the proven success of charter schools, seen through higher test scores, the state should lift the cap on new schools.

The Republican's editorial team writes that, "Charter schools across the state are proving their worth by turning out students with higher test scores. It’s time to lift the cap to enable more urban students a chance at academic success."

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Guest View: New Bedford should welcome City on a Hill

South Coast Today

By John Schneider, Director for Gateway Strategic Initiatives for MCPSA

John Schneider provides an in-depth explanation of charter public schools and why the successful City on a Hill Charter Public School model should be a welcome addition to New Bedford. John writes that "COAH would add another high quality public school option to New Bedford. Its leaders are looking forward to partnering with New Bedford educators, parents, elected officials and nonprofits to improve public education in the city."

City on a Hill currently has one school open in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and is the first Boston charter school to propose replicating in a Gateway City. It is one of the most successful public high schools in Massachusetts, offering a college preparatory program to disadvantaged students. On the 2012 MCAS, more than 90 percent of its 10th-graders scored proficient or advanced in English and 87 percent scored proficient or advanced in math. Compared to Boston district schools, 18 percent more COAH students scored proficient or advanced in English; 22 percent more in math.

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Raise the charter-school cap again

Boston Globe

By Scot Lehigh

The Boston Globe's Scot Lehigh writes in favor of raising the charter public school cap: "consider the fact that the average Boston charter school day is two hours longer than the traditional BPS day, without any additional stipend. If a longer urban school day is the priority it should be, the best course is obvious: raise the charter cap again."

"Around the state," he says, "charter schools are already providing that longer day, and for the same basic per-pupil amount that, in the traditional public schools, buys only a shorter day. We now know that more learning time is often important to boosting the educational performance of urban kids from low-income families." 

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As I See It column: A Saugus charter school at Weylu’s?

Saugus Advertiser

By Peter Manoogian

Saugus Town Meeting member, Peter Manoogian, writes a piece supporting the proposal to replicate the successful Pioneer Charter School of Science on the North Shore.  He urges parents and residents to join him in asking the state to approve the application.

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Charter schools essential to Western Massachusetts’ future

The MCPSA's Director for Gateway Strategic Initiatives John Schneider recently published an opinion piece in the Springfield Republican advocating for more charter public schools in Western Massachusetts.

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