Advertisement

Civil Rights Battle Begins In Massachusetts Over Charter Schools

12:23
Download Audio
Resume

Here in Massachusetts, education could be the next frontier in a civil rights battle — and it's over charter schools.

Opponents and proponents are using strikingly similar language.

Three prominent Boston attorneys are preparing a legal challenge to lift the state's cap on the number of charter schools. One of the attorneys, Michael Keating, says that the cap limits students' access to quality education.

"This is, frankly, an issue of civil rights, and this is an issue which the legislature, for one reason or another, has failed to act on," says Keating.

But Massachusetts Teachers Association President Barbara Madeloni cited the NAACP in a statement, saying that, "charter schools violate students’ civil rights by 'creating separate and unequal conditions for success.'"

Guests

Michael Keating, partner at Foley Hoag LLP.

Lisa Guisbond, executive director of Citizens for Public Schools.

More

The Boston Globe: Charter School Foes Decry Plans To Challenge Cap

  • "Charter schools opponents on Sunday blasted an effort by three prominent lawyers to overturn the state cap on charter schools, calling it misguided and potentially harmful to the vast majority of students who attend traditional public schools."

This segment aired on March 9, 2015.

Advertisement

More from Radio Boston

Listen Live
Close