Bluegrass Reform?

There are only 10 states that continue to ban charter schools and one, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, appears to be on a path to lower that number to nine.

In fact, just last week Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville, put forth a bill that would permit state-funded charters that he calls “public school academies,” which he contends will bring forth a choice for students and parents in areas where they feel trapped by underperforming public schools. Rep. Montell told the Louisville Courier-Journal, “I think it’s the year for us.”

That story, written by Chris Kenning, added:

In exchange for more autonomy, charter schools must meet academic goals and are held accountable by a sponsor, usually a school board, a state or a university, which can cancel the contract if academic goals aren’t met — and close the school.

Rep. Stan Lee, R-Lexington, has already filed charter-school legislation, and both lawmakers said there appears to be a growing willingness among colleagues to consider it.

Gov. Steve Beshear, asked Monday if he supported charter schools, said “all the options are on the table.”

The story closed with a quote from a Louisville parent named Onda Banks, asked if her son, a middle-school student, would benefit from a charter school and its individualized attention.

“We should have the right to choose a school like that,” she said.

Here is Rep. Montell making his case for charters: