Memphis and California: A Stark Contrast

The school board in Memphis denied all three of its charter school applications this year. Tennessee already has a weak charter school law, but to deny all three applications -- one based on a successfully operating charter school -- sends a pretty strong message about the school board. This is the "beat 'em down until they don't return" strategy people who don't want charter schools use.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports the California Charter Schools Association says that "12 of the top 15 public schools in California that cater primarily to poor children are charters." Charter schools in California tend to outperform noncharter public schools. Likewise, in Colorado charter schools tend to outperform noncharters.

Hopefully, someone on the Memphis school board reads newspapers and will realize that approving charter schools, and giving parents an option for their children to get a good education, benefits everyone in a school district.