TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOLS UNDER ATTACK

More bureaucratic supervision advocated

"The Texas Education Agency is not properly monitoring school districts, especially charter schools, to ensure they're doing a good job of educating students and managing public money, according to a legislative panel. A highly critical report issued Friday by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission also said that some of nearly 70,000 children in independent charter schools "may be at risk of receiving an inadequate education" because of the weak oversight. The sunset panel, which includes 10 legislators and two citizen appointees, also found problems in textbook purchases and TEA distribution of $3 billion a year in state and federal grants to school districts.

On charter schools, the commission said the education agency is not effectively measuring student success, leaving parents and school officials "ill-informed" as to the quality of instruction at each of the 275 charter campuses in Texas. Referring to the notable financial failures of a handful of charter schools, the commission said the education agency "has very little ability to hold charter schools accountable for expending state funds." Texas spent nearly $340 million on charter schools last year.

The panel said the criticisms are not meant to be an "indictment" of all charter schools. "Many charter schools have good business practices and very successful students," the report said. "However, TEA needs the proper authority and direction to determine which schools are effective, and focus their assistance - and if necessary their enforcement action - on those schools that place children at educational risk."

Charter schools are expected to be one of more volatile issues of the legislative session next year as supporters - including the Governor's Business Council - seek to expand the charter school program in Texas. Currently, the state has limited the number of charter school operators to no more than 215. Critics opposing the expansion have cited financial problems at several schools and low student test scores at a majority of the charter schools in the state. The sunset commission recommended that the Legislature create a financial accountability rating system for charter schools and direct the TEA to beef up oversight of charter schools, particularly those that don't receive performance ratings from the state.

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