Last year I remember reading about charter schools in Idaho. Test scores were showing that homeschoolers were not only scoring higher than charter schools, but even public schools were scoring higher!

Charter schools have been a response by the public schools in many states to the popularity of homeschooling. They have recruited many homeschool parents by enticing them with free computers, equipment, and money. I've always had my doubts, however, and I personally am not interested in the public school system "overseeing" my homeschool.

Last week there was an article in a Texas paper about a local charter school that's become very popular. I'm pretty certain that many parents have chosen it because of the free equipment and other perks. I'm also pretty certain that they also expect to get an equal result as independent homeschoolers.

Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case:

Standardized test scores may be a concern too: Texas Virtual Academy had lower passing rates than the average public school. . . And although it is rated as academically acceptable by the Texas Education Agency, its students' passing rates on the TAKS tests were below the state average.

I wonder if the parent interviewed knew that befure she said this:

The virtual setup has some benefits of the public school system -- including technology, curriculum and textbook support -- but also has some benefits of home schooling, Kimberly Law said.

Something's very wrong in charter school land if an option that's supposed to have the benefits of both public school and homeschooling ends up doing worse than both.

http://www.star-telegram.com:80/local/story/540790.html