Millions more for Houston’s charter schools

– Not a dime for Kentucky because we don’t have any

Down Houston, Texas, way, they just got a huge influx of money, $10 million worth, from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. The cash will double the number of Knowledge is Power Program charter school seats in the city. That money will enable the KIPP schools, as they are known, to raise an additional $60 million more in bond money despite the currently very tight financial markets.

Why is Gates doing this? Vicki Phillips, director of education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, says, “…charter schools have proven to be extremely effective at improving access to quality education.”

The Houston Chronicle adds that charters “…have gained popularity with their long school days, Saturday classes and track record of enrolling low-income, minority students in college.”

Meanwhile, Kentucky won’t get a dime from Gates for charter schools because our state doesn’t allow them.

Houston’s KIPP charters are now so popular that it will take a $70 million building campaign to house the additional 11,000 plus students who want into a Houston KIPP school but cannot be accommodated in the current facilities.

Why do Kentucky kids continue to miss out on the important public school option of charter schools while kids in Houston and in 39 states across the nation, especially low-income and minority students, are reaping major benefits?