Pot calls kettle black: Texas teachers’ union claims charter schools are failing students

The Texas teachers’ union claims charter schools are failing students even though families are fleeing the state’s traditional public schools.

The Texas affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) released a report this month on charter school closures, saying one in four charters will close within the first five years.

“It is clear that the charter school experiment in Texas is failing many of its students, both those who elect to attend charter schools and those in the public education system,” Texas AFT wrote. “As we continue to advocate for equitable public education, we must push for greater oversight of charter schools and prioritize investments in public schools that can guarantee long-term stability for our children.”

According to the report, charter closures are mostly due to low enrollment (47%), mismanagement (21%), academic failure (13%) or financial reasons (10%).

But the irony of the Texas AFT’s criticism is that its schools – government-run and union-controlled public schools – are virtually never allowed to close due to mismanagement, academic failure or poor finances.

Instead, when traditional public schools suffer these ills, they often receive more funding and support, not less.

And despite the union’s claim that charters fail their students, more and more families are choosing them.

The National Alliance of Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) reported a 25% growth in charter school enrollment in Texas between 2019 and 2024.

Charter enrollment in the state now exceeds 420,000 students.

Meanwhile, the same report revealed a 1% decline in traditional public schools, amounting to nearly 50,000 fewer students.

Another study from the Texas Home School Coalition found more than 50,000 students annually leave the public school system in favor of homeschooling.  

Why the exodus from government-run public schools?  

Poor learning outcomes may have something to do with it.  

Students’ 2024 test results – compiled by the Texas Education Agency – revealed systemic failures in the public system to properly educate its students.  

Statewide only half of students (53%) are proficient in reading. Even fewer (41%) meet standards in math. 

African American, Hispanic and low-income students score 5-15 points below the average in both subjects. 

Only one-third of English language learners achieve proficiency. And scores are even worse for special needs students, who score 18% in reading and 15% in math. 

But research shows these disadvantaged groups are also the ones who benefit the most from attending a charter school. 

A study from Stanford University found charter students nationwide outperform their public school peers. 

Learning gains are most significant among African American, Hispanic, low-income and English Language Learning students.  

In the end, Texas AFT’s criticism strikes at the salient difference between charter and traditional public schools.  

Charter schools are opt-in. Like a business, they must attract customers – or students – and provide a quality product, or they won’t survive. 

Public schools are opt-out. Students are forced to go there unless they can afford an alternative. 

And unlike charters, a poorly performing public school usually doesn’t close. It just gets more money.