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SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - Lawmakers in Lansing give the thumbs up to a bill removing the limit on the number of charter schools in Michigan. That means a new wave of schools could open soon. However, some people aren't happy with the likely change.

 

Walton Charter Academy in Pontiac, a 13-year-old school operated by Northern University, is celebrating this week's passage of legislation that uncaps the number of charters that can open in Michigan. Walton has had a waiting list in the past, making more charters good news for advocates there.

"People ask me why I don't go teach at public, and it's because I love the accountability and being responsible for these kids," said Rachel Demers with Walton Charter Academy. "I think many of the public schools don't do that."

 

There are currently 255 charters in Michigan. A university can't charter more than 150. That will likely change.

 

Charter school leaders talk often about high standards for both students and teachers, standards they say set them apart from public schools.

 

"At a charter school, teachers are responsible for their students and growing a certain amount each year, whereas in a public school, the kids are taught one full lesson and then they go on to the next level. Charter schools make sure that students are where they need to be and they work to get them there," Demers said.

However, not everybody is happy with this lesson plan that the legislature has put together. In fact, the Detroit Federation of Teachers is expressing their dismay. Members are even going so far as to say that students are being used as pawns to help charters make money.

 

"Of the 200 charter schools throughout the State of Michigan, the vast majority of them are not performing at a level that even matches that of the public schools in the communities in which they serve," said Keith Johnson with the Detroit Federation of Teachers.

 

He also says that charters don't take into account the many students who have special needs.

Teachers at Walton in Pontiac say that's just not the case.

 

"We have many students here who have special needs," Demers countered. "We work with them not only in the classroom, but also in a special ed environment."

 

"Let's hold them equally accountable for addressing the educational needs of those students who are the most challenged, not just saying... we'll just dump them off into Detroit and let Detroit handle it," Johnson said.

 

Governor Rick Snyder is expected to sign this bill into law next week, but there are some stipulations in it requiring charter schools to have more scrutiny about their past performance and also more transparency.