An uneven field for state charter schools

Charter public schools have been among the brightest lights on the state's educational landscape for the last decade. Yet complacency and special interests continue to stifle this proven engine of educational innovation by shortchanging public school students in charters, which do not receive the state capital funds available to all other public schools.

Obscured in the current wrangle over capital school funds in Springfield is the ongoing reality that charter public schools are barred from access to state funds from the Capital Development Fund for construction or repair of facilities.

Nor are public charter schools granted the bonding authority other public schools leverage for capital construction. Charter schools must fund all aspects of their programs from operating funds generated by the enrollment funding formula, supplemented by fundraising by parents and students.

Contrary to the notion that charter public schools are "elite" public schools, the 35 charter public schools in Illinois as a whole operate on 80 percent of the funding that other public schools receive.

Entrance is not exam-based; charter public schools are open to any student. Contrary to popular myth, charter public schools do not

strain the resources of public school districts. A detailed report issued this summer by the Civic Federation showed there is no undue burden on host districts and that charter schools did not compromise a district's ability to manage its finances.

In fact, there is evidence that charters can increase accountability within a district. The four school districts studied had operated in deficit before opening charter public schools, and subsequently reported budget surpluses following the opening of their charter schools.

Charter public schools are the leaders in creating new educational models that work for the 21st century. Each school is a vibrant educational community. It was the legislature's vision when it established the charter public school program 10 years ago that charters serve as the tool for education innovators and entrepreneurs to create new models and help Illinois keep at the forefront of public education in this country.

Even as successful charters are partnering with other neighborhood public schools to share their approaches and programs, the inequity in capital funding will continue to limit the impact they can have.

Moreover, the lack of capital funding makes it more difficult for parents and communities to bring high-performing programs to their neighborhoods, limiting educational options to the detriment of all.

Elizabeth Evans

Executive director

Illinois Network

of Charter Schools

Chicago