A new report analyzing nationwide school closures shows in Michigan, about one in three charter schools fails.
Michigan has the largest number of charter schools run by for-profit companies in the nation, with more than 80% run specifically by charter management groups. The report from the National Center for Charter School Accountability says backers of these schools accept closures as a natural consequence of market forces.
Michigan State Board of EDucation Trustees Mitchell Robinson says charter schools are being treated a lot like dry cleaners or dollar stores.
“Our state is attracting people who put profits before the best interests of kids and families, teachers, and our state. teachers, and our state, and that’s unacceptable,” Robinson said.
That’s in addition to the millions of federal dollars allocated to Michigan for charter schools that have never opened, Robinson adds.
The report from the National Center for Charter School Accountability found nearly half of the charter schools that closed nationwide cited low enrollment as the reason. About 20% of closures were due to fraud and mismanagement of funds.
