Is Detroit Public Schools worth saving? Charter process sparks debate

[Locke09]

One of the biggest problems with DPS is that it is too big. Warren, which is the third largest city in the state has 5 different school districts in it's boarders. Perhaps a mix of public and charter schools would produce better graduation rates.

Each charter school is considered its own school district. So Detroit, with its plethora of charter schools, has more school districts within its borders than probably any other municipality.

Out of 19 bids, only 5 schools will now become charters. Why is this? Well, here's what the aforementioned article says:

"Top-regarded charter schools companies in the nation – such as Green Dot Public Schools and Knowledge if Power Program – declined to become involved in DPS’ ambitious charter school plan.

In selecting the three companies, DPS passed up several firms that have spotty records or no charter school experience including. Charter School Administration Services, which saw four of its local failing charter schools shut down including Cherry Hill School of Performing Arts where a janitor raped an 11-year-old in 2002; the Detroit Association of Black Organizations, which is paid under contract to run a DPS alternative school that has a graduation rate of about 3%, and the Robert Shumake/Take the Land Nonprofit Housing Corp., named for a Southfield businessman linked to failed investments by the City of Detroit's two pension funds."

Why aren't there more firms with good records chomping at the bits?