FACT: Charter Schools are held accountable for academic performances and unlike district schools that can exist with poor results, underperforming schools may be closed.

It is true that underperforming schools can be closed. This is a strength of the charter sector, forcing charter schools to meet student needs. If a public charter school is not improving student achievement as laid out in its foundational charter agreement, it can be closed down.

In Rochester, we’ve seen this happen and it is unsettling for families. Schools have been diligent to notify parents well in advance and help provide them resources to find the next best school where their child can succeed.

When traditional public schools fail, they are not closed, leaving generations of children to receive a subpar education. In Rochester, failing district schools have been identified, yet remain open. Monitoring procedures have been put into place, but even years later, schools continue to underperform and are allowed to continue failing students.