LANSING, Mich. — Nineteen new charter public schools are opening this fall, including eight in Detroit, two in Ypsilanti and one each in nine other Michigan cities, according to the Michigan Information & Research Service Inc.
In related news, legislation that would expand charter schools, create “conversion schools” through parent petition, and mandate schools of choice statewide were to be introduced to the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, according to the Gongwer News Service.
The bills also would expand dual enrollment programs for non-public school students, according to Gongwer.
The 19 new charters will be authorized by Detroit Public Schools, four state universities, Bay Mills Community College, two intermediate school districts and one local district, MIRS reported.
Dan Quisenberry, executive director of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, said while the 19 new schools are welcome, more than 70 percent of existing charter public schools in Michigan still have waiting lists, according to MIRS.
SOURCE:
Michigan Information & Research Service Inc., “19 New Charter Schools Opening in Michigan This Fall,” Sept. 6, 2011 (Subscription required)
Gongwer News Service, “Schools of Choice, Charters Expanded Under Senate Bills,” Sept. 7, 2011 (Subscription required)
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “Time to Take School Choice in Michigan to the Next Level,” Aug. 8, 2011
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