I think that the voucher system is the way to go. However, to even the playing field, public schools should also be able to be as selective about the students they let come into their door. If the child or youth doesn't want to learn or at least follow the rules and the parent doesn't want to support the teacher, the kid should not be let into the school. The child can then be put into the public sector to earn a paycheck if they are old enough until they get an appreciation for an education. I have been in a few other countries and the opportunity to get an education is a privilege. I also think that parents should be held more accountable for their child's behavior. As it is now, the public schools have to take the kids that the private schools reject.

If you want this type of education, Private schools, are the way

to go. We the taxpayers will be funding the public schools, as

we always do, plus now that you want more charter schools, we will

be paying taxes for that type of education also, which matches the

private sector quality of education. Double taxes again for the

citizens who choose to send their children to public schools and scarfice

their monies so we can pay taxes again, or double for the Charter schools.

I thinks school vouchers should be enforced, so everyone could sent their

student to the school of choice and everyone could pick and choose and

benefit from the tax situation!

Virginia's no child left behind has left ALL the children behind the average in the country. My children were in classes that had been dumbed down so that the "Special Needs" could learn too. What BS! I am glad I took my children out of public school. It is well worth the extra money for the private education.

But-of-course we need more charter schools. To get an education that provides a well rounded curriculum of information from which to make up one's own mind and freely espouse one's own opinion, charter schools are direly needed. Public schools now provide only politically correct and state spun facts from which no open-minded opinion can be formed.

If your kids are attending a quality public school system, why would you want to move them to a charter school? The key word in that question is "quality."

I wish we had charter schools here in VB. If only the 4 y/r schools that had to go back to the regular schedule could have been made into charter schools...

Virginia is so 'unfriendly' to charter schools. The laws and regulations to even create them are so burdensome...and makes the venture extremely frustrating.

It is due to the education lobby...so $$$ strong in Richmond. I have sat in many meetings up there...when a vote comes up...one only has to glance over to the 'group' to see them moving their heads yes or no as they 'strongly suggest' to the legislators how to vote.

An interesting article would be to list all of the members of both 'education committees and ALL of their donations over each year; then list educationally friendly choice votes over the past five years...a connection will be clear. One will easily see the 'stranglehold' on those votes.

It is so unfair too. In cities like Portsmouth, Petersburg and Richmond, competition in schools would be such a great opportunity for children and parents. And, give tax credits...NOT vouchers that come with strings. Encourage parents to look for better opportunities; don't punish them by making them pay double - taxes and extra tuition - to educate their little ones.

Many laws will need to be changed in order to get more of these schools in VA. Many in other states ar

I like the idea of charter schools. It gives the school and the students the opportunity to focus on the students' strong points and excel in that particular field or area.