Push for charter schools

Push for charter schools

Inter-Mountain, Elkins, W.Va.: West Virginia is one of the few states that does not authorize charter schools as a means of spurring education reform. That ought to change this year.

Charter schools receive taxpayer funding but are privately operated. They also can be exempt from some of the rules that govern public schools.

Sen. Joe Manchin, while he was governor, pushed for the Legislature to approve charter schools in West Virginia.

Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, a proponent of education reform, should include charter schools on his agenda for the upcoming session of the Legislature. Then, lawmakers should approve a thoughtful plan to allow charter schools in West Virginia, as part of a comprehensive education reform program.