My only wish is for the success of all children.

I have nothing against the idea of charter schools.

However, we need to pass a law that says if a parent decides to place their child in a charter school, that child MUST stay at that school for at least two years. Then if they decide to leave after two year they MUST notify the regular school that they are coming back.

Last year I got the same student back THREE times as the poor kid's mom moved him back and forth between schools. She had a hard time getting the kid to school so when the school finally started cracking down on her, she would move him to another school.

The child suffered both emotionally and intellectually.

Choose whatever school you want but you must stay there unless you move away.

Thank you.

That's silly, Utah Teacher. The idea of charters is *choice*, not irrevocable choice. I could agree with limiting their transfers during the school year (unless they have a serious problem with what's happening at the school and need to get away from it). But limiting their ability to ever transfer "unless [they] move" is absurd. What good is choice if you just get roped into another mandatory school after making your choice?

Utah Teacher,

You must be teaching in a low socio-economic area. My first year of teaching was in one, down at a District school in Tucson. We could have a student for a couple of weeks while both parents were locked up. The transfer records of these kids were quite telling of how often they moved and the effect that had on student achievement.

If the child in question did not move, I ask whether you are on year round? If so you have a parent taking advantage of the free babysitting you and the other school provide her. Schools need a policy that prohibits this sort of abuse such as enforcing a school suspension that a family is trying to avoid by switching schools regardless of which school issued it.

Lastly, was this reported to the state? School attendance is compulsory. If the child is missing or late habitually, that child is being harmed. It is up to the administration or teacher to report such abuses to the proper authorities.

I think the key point in this article was parental involvement. I believe in public education and other choices. I have no beef with any of them. I went to public school and then went on to graduate from the U.

I have been involved with my children's schooling. I volunteer for an hour a week. It isn't much time, but I have seen and met the kids in his class. I see how he is behaving and then as a PARENT, I can add to that. You can't expect any one group to raise and teach your children. Go parents!!! Be involved. That will help in so many areas!!!

my grandchildren just spent two years in a new charter school in Salt Lake and fortunately the parents stayed involved - based on some of the teachers in the jr high level not being certified they have withdrawn their children from the school. There are some issues with charter schools that need to be addressed but since each is managed differently it is not always easy to recognize the problems but I do hope the State Education Dept keeps closer eyes on them.