Charter Schools

LWVMD Takes Action to encourage the inclusion of the following criteria in any legislation or regulations governing the establishment of Public Charter Schools. No consensus was reached on whether we oppose or support Public Charter Schools. (2001)

• Public Charter Schools must be nonsectarian, nonreligious, nonprofit, and not home-based;
• Applications may be submitted by a variety of groups or organizations, including, but not limited to, parents, teachers and institutions of higher learning;
• Local boards of education determine which groups or organizations will be granted contracts (i.e.,"charters"), with the right to an appeal of that decision to the state board of education;
• Waivers (to be specified in the contract) may include some public school regulations governing curriculum, calendar, and teaching methodology. No waivers may be granted from regulations governing fiscal accountability, nor (as specified by federal regulations) from civil rights or health and safety standards;
• Quarterly financial reports should be made to the local school board;
• Academic standards, including testing, required of other public school students must be met;
• Admission must be non-discriminatory and open on a first-come, first-served basis to all students who wish to apply;
• Public Charter Schools must be funded at the same per pupil level as students in other public schools.

Competent Teachers

LWVMD takes Action to support the state aiding local school systems in attracting and retaining competent teachers. (1989)

LWVMD Supports:

• -the state setting realistic minimum beginning salaries.
• -the state funding scholarships for college education of qualified candidates entering the teaching profession, particularly for those agreeing to teach in critical subject areas or in school systems with critical teacher shortages.
• -the state supporting alternative paths to certification.
• -the state providing support for professional development activities.
• -the state encouraging the use of support staff to enable teachers to spend time with students and their learning problems.

Financing Education

LWVMD Takes Action to support measures which recognize the primary responsibility for funding public elementary and secondary education lies with the state. (1972, 1975)

Support for:

• -a foundation program based on a weighted per pupil formula supported from general state revenues at a level high enough to eliminate inequities.
• some local leeway to provide additional funding for education. continuation of local control over the schools.
• -the encouragement of increased federal funding for education.

HS Graduation Testing

LWVMD Takes Action to insure students have an opportunity to pass high school graduation tests. (2005)

As long as passage of academic tests (High School Assessments) is required for graduation, the following conditions should be in place to insure students have a fair opportunity to pass:

• -Access to curriculum and instructional materials aligned with state standards
• -Access to a high quality educational program, including advanced placement courses
• -Access to well qualified teachers
• -Timely and specific results
• -Multiple opportunities to pass the test
• -In-school and after-school tutoring and remediation
• -Opportunities to retake a course or take a mini-course
• -Alternate ways to demonstrate mastery of the subject 

To insure every student the opportunity and resources to pass tests, the state should fund:

• -Pre-school education
• -Professional staff development (curriculum, learning styles, cultural differences, expectations of students)
• -Curriculum development and textbooks aligned with core curriculum
• -Smaller class size
• -Technical assistance to identify reasons for low academic achievement

No consensus was reached on whether passage of statewide, course-related testing should be required to determine eligibility for high school graduation.

School Vouchers

LWVMD Takes Action to oppose using public funds for private schools for vouchers for elementary and secondary school students. Voucher programs permit parents to use public funds to send their children to private schools. (2001)