Charter schools: A smart choice

Lindsay Burningham’s op-ed “Charter schools: Lack of standards hurts students” (Feb.23) is so full of “alternative facts” in an effort to delegitimize charter schools that it warrants a response.

First, charter schools in California receive wide bipartisan support because they are accountable and transparent. Charters must apply to an authorizer and then renew every five years — and can be denied if they are not successful for students. When was the last time you saw a traditional school closed for poor student progress?

More than 99 percent of California charter schools are nonprofits.

Charter schools are not causing school district deficits — a multitude of factors are contributing, including declining enrollment, financial mismanagement and the funding of retirement costs. While districts may be getting less funding, they are serving fewer students.

Charter schools serve all students, including those with disabilities. In fact, because they are designed to have flexibility, charters are uniquely situated to provide innovative, high-quality educational services to students with unique learning needs.

When Burmingham and her ilk suggest we and other reformers are trying to dismantle public education, they forget, we are part of the public education system. Charter public schools are the choice in the public education system.

Durfee is managing regional director, Southern California, of the California Charter Schools Association.

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