Despite opposition from the NAACP and the National Urban League, African-Americans overwhelmingly support charter schools. Today’s Wall Street Journal carries an enlightening piece from Paul Peterson of Harvard’s Program on Education Policy and Governance and Martin West of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. (emphasis is mine)
Each year we provided respondents the same, neutral description of charter schools, followed by the question: “Do you support or oppose the formation of charter schools?” Those interviewed were also given the choice of saying they “neither support or oppose” charters.
Support for charters among African Americans rose to 49% in 2009, up from 42% in 2008. This year it leapt upward to no less than 64%. Among Hispanics support jumped to 47% in 2010, from 37% in 2008.
Opposition to charters is expressed by 14% of African-Americans and 21% of Hispanics. Twenty-three percent of African-Americans and 33% of Hispanics take a neutral position.
So why the organized opposition to charters? Peterson and West conclude with this:
By casting their lot firmly with teachers unions, the leadership of the NAACP and the Urban League hope to preserve their power and safeguard their traditional sources of financial support. Not only is this is a cynical strategy, it ignores where African-Americans and Hispanics are on the issue. Thankfully, the Obama administration is paying attention to the needs of low-income, minority communities and not to their purported leaders.
And who loses? Kids trapped in traditional public schools that are unable to meet their needs.
