Northeast News
April 5, 2017

Dear Editor,
HB 634 will allow charter schools to be operated in any school district in which at least one school building has received a score of 60% or less on its annual performance report. The League of Women Voters opposes charter school expansion because:
·Public charter schools are not held to the same standards as traditional public schools.
·Charters are not accredited by MO Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and public charter schools are required to have only 80% of school faculty certified.
·Public charter schools are not required to serve their “fair share” of students who take more resources because of challenges like special needs and homelessness.
·Charters are governed by non-elected boards; however, they operate public funded schools.
·2016 data shows of the 35 Missouri charter schools, 20 charters met only 75% of state accountability standards. Six charters met less than 50% of those standards.
The LWV of Missouri calls for the defeat of HB 634. Our resources should be put into traditional schools that educate all children. Contact your Senator in Jefferson City.

Donna Hoch & Linda Smith, Co-Presidents
LWV Kansas City/Jackson, Clay & Platte Counties