CLOSER TO HOMETwo charter schools operated in Hamilton County last school year. Another is expected to join them this fall.
LUCAS L. JOHNSON II, Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Proponents of charter schools laud them as an innovative way to educate those who simply want to learn, but critics say a provision of recently passed Tennessee legislation that opens enrollment to students who aren’t in failing schools defeats the purpose of charter institutions.
On the last day of the General Assembly in May, state lawmakers sent Gov. Bill Haslam a bill that removes the cap on charter schools and allows any student in the charter school’s jurisdiction to attend. The first-term Republican governor, who made the changes a top priority of his education agenda, signed the bill last week and was at a charter school in Memphis on Wednesday for a ceremonial signing that highlighted the changes.
Haslam told reporters after the ceremony that at-risk youth won’t be overlooked.