James Merriman, CEO of the NYC Charter School Center, with an article about how charters are going mainstream:

As 27 new charter schools open in New York City this week, it's increasingly clear that these schools are no longer viewed as fads or experiments but rather as part of a long term solution to fixing our public schools. The latest evidence comes in a Daily News-Marist Institute poll that shows two-thirds (66%) of New Yorkers now believe charter schools are a "good thing because they give more choices to parents and kids."

The findings are particularly significant because they don't just reflect those who have long supported charters, including families in underserved communities. The survey shows support for charter schools spans New Yorkers of every race, income level, and political party, and those in every borough.

Equally important is the fact that just 24% of those surveyed believe charters take resources away from traditional public schools. This is one of the central (and false) arguments perpetuated by teachers unions and other reform opponents to push back against charter school growth. It's obvious that most New Yorkers just aren't buying it, further signifying how disconnected opponents are from what the public wants.

-------------------