"For that reason, I am really "on the fence" on this issue. On the one hand, I think that the one-size-fits-all philosophy behind public education sucks, and charter schools do offer an antidote to it. Otoh, I do support teachers and thier unions, and I think charter schools would be very detrimental to both."
One size fits all? You think public schools in Palo Alto and East Palo Alto are the same? You think charters will change that?
Charters mean the complete destruction of the teaching profession. It's not just that already low salaries will get lower and that teachers will lose their unions, benefits, rights etc., it's also that the profession will become de-skilled as the professional curriculum developers and test makers create educational content and rake in the bucks. The charters in the wealthier areas of town will be a bit better, and the rich will continue to send their kids to private schools. But overall, this is a disaster.
Joanna