Changes likely for charter schools in Minnesota

Charter schools in Minnesota are likely to emerge from this year's legislative session more closely monitored to prevent financial abuses and oversights. The reforms could include higher standards for charter school sponsors, changes in rules about school facilities and more training requirements for board members. Interest in charter schools is surging; enrollment in charter schools has doubled in Minnesota in the past five years, to 28,000 last year. But the success has brought growing pains. Some schools are troubled by subpar student performance, shoddy fiscal management and conflicts of interest in school governance.To read The Minneapolis Star Tribune article, click here. FROM JANUARY 2009: Minnesota lawmakers appear ready to make big changes in the way the state's 153 charter schools are monitored and regulated. It would be the first time since 1991, when the state blazed a national trail by passing charter school legislation, that state lawmakers have overhauled the system in such a way. Minnesota's charters, which serve 30,000 students, will probably face tighter controls, more oversight and increased training for charter school teachers and governing boards. Over the years, charter schools have been battered by problems with poor student performance, fiscal woes, conflicts of interest and charges of inappropriate mixing of public education and private religion. To read The Minneapolis Star Tribune article, click here.