Cap on Michigan charter schools lifted - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(12/20/11) - Sweeping changes to Michigan's Education policies continued Tuesday afternoon. Around 2:30 p.m., Gov. Rick Snyder signed a reform bill lifting the cap on charter schools.

This is part of Gov. Snyder's plan to reinvent Michigan schools. It's a plan that has generated controversy among educators across the state. "I think it's a sad day for public education in the state of Michigan," said Frank Burger with the Carman-Ainsworth Education Association.

Democrats and teachers unions oppose the move, saying it could hurt traditional public school districts. "They're not required to fund and have bussing and take students to school, they're not necessarily required to offer special education services to special needs students," Burger said.

Mid-Michigan charter school leaders say that's not true. Patty Wood is principal at Grand Blanc Public Academy. "We are a public school so we follow all the same guidelines that all the traditional schools follow and all our teachers are highly qualified and we don't defer from any of that," Wood said.

This bill is the latest step on Gov. Snyder's long list proposed education reforms. Supporters say it will give parents and students more options about where to attend school.

"It's difficult for parents to have a choice when they're confined to one area in the city and they want to provide a better educational system for their child. Not saying that the public schools aren't doing that, but it gives them a choice," Wood said.

This bill comes after the passage of teacher tenure reform back in July, which dramatically changes how teachers are granted tenure. It now focuses more on teacher effectiveness.