Today's News & Observer references a poll commissioned by the North Carolina Alliance of Public Charter Schools (APCS). The article reports that 65 percent of poll respondents want more charter schools in North Carolina. According to APCS, support for charter schools cut across racial and party lines. Interestingly, APCS results match results from a Civitas poll (June 2008) which reported 65 percent of voters favored allowing more charter schools to operate in North Carolina. In addition, results from an earlier Civitas Poll (April 2007), reported that 75 percent of North Carolinians would approve of increasing the number of charter schools that provide extensive career and technical training as one way increase the number of students who stay in school and graduate.
Last week the House passed HB 856 which raises the charter school cap to 106 schools. Though the bill isn’t perfect, it’s a step in the right direction. Let’s hope those in the Senate recognize what the majority of citizens in North Carolina want: more charter schools.
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