On April 9, Amendment 2 to SB 2402 was voted out of committee. The amendment and bill sponsored by Sen. Iris Martinez (D-20) will, if passed by the full Senate, add forty new charter schools to the original 1995 Reform Act charter school provision in the School Code. This legislation would eliminate the division of Chicago, suburban, and downstate and allow all 100 charters to be cloned.  The entire Chicago Public School population could be absorbed by charters!

Please contact your state senator immediately and ask him or her to vote against SB 2402.  This bill would allow for the complete privatization of the Chicago Public Schools.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to ask you to vote "no" for SB 2402, the Unlimited Charter Bill.

Former American Federation President Albert Shanker introduced charter schools in 1988 as a tool for improving public education for all students. His idea was for groups of teachers or groups of parents and teachers to petition districts to open schools where they could practice innovative methods of educating.

These schools would be monitored and closely evaluated. Over time the methods, if successful, could be broadened to improve student learning across districts. Each school would have checks and balances to ensure that they meet or exceed the progress of traditional public schools.

Charter schools, as we know them today, do not reflect Mr. Shanker's vision. The schools that have expanded across the state lack accountability or evidence of significant student improvement. They are being run by businesses and groups that have no public education expertise. Teachers and school personnel are often exploited.

If this legislation is passed, it will threaten our public education system. It will increase student achievement gaps and gaps in resource allocation. This bill will allow for the complete privatization of the Chicago Public Schools.

Please vote against SB 2402.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 17, 2008