By Chelsea Hagger, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-995359.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Democrats at the state Capitol are calling for an amendment to the Michigan constitution that would outlaw for-profit schools. Four out of five charter schools in Michigan operate as for-profit schools. Michigan Public Radio's Chelsea Hagger has the report.
Democratic state Senator Rebekah Warren says only 17 percent of charter schools out-perform traditional public schools. She says school aid money should not go toward profits for businesses.
Warren says her amendment would not ban charter schools, but it would reform how they operate.
"If those companies are doing such a great job and they want to come in and they want to educate our kids they can reformat their business model and become non-profits," she says. "This isn't saying they can't operate here."
Voters must approve amendments to the state constitution.
A Republican proposal in the legislature would remove the cap on charter schools, allowing more to operate in Michigan. Warren says approving the Republican measure would make the problem worse.