The charter industry is stunned by the possibility that Massachusetts may not authorize any new charters this year. This would be the first time in 15 years that no new charters were opened.
“Proponents say the move represents another blow in their quest to open more charter schools across the state. It comes just three months after the state Senate overwhelmingly rejected an increase in the number of charter schools that can operate in low-performing districts.”
Charters were stopped in Brockton and Fitchburg because the law says that they should open only in districts that are in the bottom 10% on state tests. Neither district is in the bottom 10%.
“Created under the 1993 Education Reform Act, charter schools are intended to be laboratories of educational innovation. They operate under looser state regulations than traditional schools and are rarely unionized.
“Seventy operate independently of local school systems, while 10 others operate in partnership with a school district.
“Many charter schools have among the highest MCAS scores, but some struggle academically and more than a dozen have closed, typically because of low test scores or financial problems.
“The move last week delighted charter school opponents, who argue that such institutions drain funding from traditional school systems and cherry pick students, assertions that proponents dispute.”
“While the effort to add more independent charter school proposals appears stymied, the state continues to review three other proposals for charter schools that would operate in partnership with the Boston, Salem, and Springfield school systems.
“Many charter school proponents, however, consider these “in-district charters “ to be less ideal than independent schools because they employ unionized teachers and are often subject to districtwide policies, restricting their autonomy.”
In other words, the charters were offered the chance to open but refused because they would have to have a union staff and some regulation, perhaps limiting their ability to exclude students they don’t want.
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Diane Ravitch's blog 
There is still hope for common sense and common sense politicians. Yipeeee!
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I’ve come to suspect that the “burdensome district regulations” charters are trying to escape is code for “unions”. The premise is that unions are a serious impediment to educational excellence. I find this offensive and, more importantly, false. The best schools are in unionized states; the worst schools are in right-to-work-for-peanuts states. Why isn’t there superior educational achievement in the Lands of Easy-to-Fire Teachers?
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Recently have spent some time with those “right-to-work-peanuts” teachers and principals, each and everyone was most reluctant to express an opinion. After awhile each would discuss in greater detail what he or she would do if in charge – as long as I didn’t tell. Clearly not much opportunity for collaboration, even with a principal’s blessing, or growth. Contrast that with the union states such as NY, CT and MA. As you say, much better chance for superior achievement. And, yes, they are paid peanuts, but for most part, stuck.
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Except in California. CA is lacking in special education and ESL funding for it’s many different language learners needs. Department of Ed says CA needs intensive special education reform, along with Texas and a couple east coast states. Charters schools are giving a huge budget hit and shortfall to the regular public school system.
In CA too, charters can double up by demanding fees on top of state tuition received for the education of its CA residents. So in some cases, the charters are unfairly out pacing and performing regular public schools and charters schools who don’t add additional fees. Unions are not fighting for special education since most parents and the general public at large can’t make the connection of better SpEd programs equal better schools.
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Way to go Massachusetts! Now, how about ALL the states “stun” the charter industry?!
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So thrilled to hear this! There is hope!
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Unfortunately our two candidates for Governor of Massachusetts both made a fuss about this. However, Mass senate is starting to listen.
“MELROSE — Both leading candidates for governor criticized the Patrick administration on Tuesday after the state rejected all applications for new, independently run charter schools for the first time in 15 years.
Attorney General Martha Coakley, who infrequently criticizes fellow Democrat Governor Deval Patrick, and Republican Charlie Baker used the same language in urging the Department of Education to “reconsider” its decision to block proposed charter schools in Brockton and Fitchburg after officials uncovered a procedural error.
Coakley called the decision “disappointing,” saying in a statement, “We shouldn’t let a technicality get in the way of offering increased opportunities to our children in school districts across the state.”
In his own statement, Baker said he would “fight any attempts to put politics ahead of children in the Commonwealth’s cities.” He said the decision would “rob families of the chance at a better education for their kids.”
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http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/10/14/baker-coakley-urge-state-reconsider-charter-school-decision/7ZiYycjp91p2zYHJlswhKM/story.html
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Unfortunately, a lot of work still needs to be done to re educate politicians who gain a lot from charter school donations to the general public who has bought the lie that public schools systems are bad. I fell for it and I am wiser now and much more active since this is an issue that affects my own special needs child. He really doesn’t have school choice as the choice is a rating of below OK (Public) to crap ( non -existent in charter schools). My sons only way and our families only way is to educate others and hopefully make a difference to increase funding and performance in public education. Profit driven corporation could care less about the disabled since, there is not profits to be made.My spouse is sick of it but, I try to inform stranger as frequently as possible about the issues of charter verses public school. I always end with “Go Public.”
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