By Charles Barone, DFER Director of Federal Policy
In two recent speeches – one in Philadelphia on May 24th and one at the NAACP Convention earlier this month – Mitt Romney talked up his support for public charter schools. Romney declared, for example, that “In Boston, in Harlem, in Los Angeles, and all across the country, charter schools are giving children a chance, children that otherwise could be locked in failing schools.”
One could hardly argue with his point on the substance. While not all charter schools are great, and in fact some are abysmal, studies show that in many circumstances children who attend public charter schools outperform their peers who attend traditional public schools. Stanford’s CREDO research project, often cited as a source showing charters are no better on average than traditional schools, recently published a new study that showed the typical student in a New York City charter school learns more than their counterparts in reading and mathematics. See CREDO’s research website for other recent work highlighting where, and under what conditions, charters are working better (or not) than traditional public schools.
Romney’s talking up charter schools is also good politics. Charter schools have enjoyed increased popularity in public opinion polls, and no more so than with black parents who like the educational options charters provide compared to some of the dismal neighborhood schools that their children are otherwise forced to attend. It’s no coincidence that Romney chose to voice his support for charters in front of primarily black audiences.
But what if Romney’s elected President? Would he promote charter schools? What would he do to promote the expansion and replication of those that work? How would he pressure states to sanction or close charter schools that are persistently low performing?
A general criticism of Romney right now is that his whole campaign consists of aspirational slogans rather than concrete policies. Education is, in some ways, no different. But here Romney’s options for action if he were President are hemmed in because of other commitments he’s made on the campaign trail.