In case you missed it, the Greensboro News-Record ran a moderate, common sense editorial yesterday about the need for the state to carefully review charter school applications. As it noted:

“Because student outcomes are so important, the State Board of Education must not grant a charter to any school that doesn’t submit a convincing plan showing how it will serve the needs of students. In addition to the right curriculum, it needs qualified faculty and an adequate facility. It also must make provisions for student health and safety.

So, enough time is needed to investigate applications. That’s where an endorsement by the local school board would be helpful. Ideally, charters should work in partnership with local boards….

This year, the state has received 155 letters of intent, indicating interest in submitting applications by the March 1 deadline. These are from organizations that want to open schools in 2014. If most of them do apply, the state office will be swamped. It could not evaluate so many detailed applications in time to make informed recommendations to the state board by its July meeting, as required. Children’s education is too important to rush through this process.”

You can read the entire editorial by clicking here.