Mississippi needs more experimentation with charter schools. But last week’s announcement that the state will receive a $15 million federal grant for the schools ought to set off a few alarm bells.
The state Charter School Authorizer Board has been extremely selective so far, approving only five applications. But it will use most of this federal money to try to get experienced charter school operators to come to the state, or to assist local applicants who lack solid financing.
The state needs to be extremely careful about this. There’s no nice way to say it, but once you start tossing large sums of money around, the mischief is bound to increase. (Exhibit A: The current scandal unfolding in college basketball.)
The Associated Press reported that the charter school board hopes to approve 15 new charter schools in the next five years, tripling its prior approval rate. It plans to offer grants worth up to $300,000 to new charters that apply or to existing ones that are thinking of expanding.
To repeat: Mississippi needs to keep experimenting with charter schools. Too many public school districts around the state simply are unable to deliver a quality education to enough children. And it’s obvious that many rural areas, which could benefit the most from a charter school, cannot attract a decent one precisely because of their low populations.
Having said that, it’s easy to envision Mississippi officials picking and choosing winners and losers for charter school funding based on political connections or friendships — instead of the merits of applications.
This federal grant is risky business, and the state needs to use it wisely.
Jack Ryan, Enterprise-Journal
