By Chris Faraone / AlterNet
What happens when charter schools begin to
proliferate in traditional public school districts? In Massachusetts, where
K-12 alternatives have had more than two decades to metastasize, it means
millions less in annual funding for traditional institutions, and an all-out
war in every budget season.
In the Commonwealth’s largest city and state
capital, the impact of proposed cuts to Boston Public Schools for next year is
already causing stress and anguish. Individual schools are bracing to lose
beloved programs, as well as teachers and tutors, and, in some cases, resources
for the most vulnerable special needs students. As charter allies boast about
their high success rates and sophisticated, wired buildings, those stuck in the
ailing BPS systems are in an uproar. And they’re pointing fingers at boosters
of what they label corporate education reform.
