Democrats Face Dilemma: Unions or Students?

By Dr. Thomas Patterson |

During his 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden expressed clear disfavor towards charter schools. This stance aligns with his position as a self-proclaimed “most pro-union president” in history. His potential successor, Kamala Harris, finds herself in a similar bind, caught between the enthusiasm of teachers’ unions and the educational choices charter schools offer.

The teachers’ unions, strong allies to the Democratic Party, staunchly oppose charter schools for two main reasons: they reveal deficiencies in union-led district schools and most charter teachers bypass union membership, avoiding dues. Charter schools, established in the 1990s, function with public funding while operating independently. They neither charge tuition nor selectively enroll students.

Critics previously claimed that charter schools failed to enhance academic outcomes. However, recent data refutes that notion. A 2023 report from Stanford’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) analyzed 15 years of charter school performance, tracking 2 million students across 29 states against district schools. This may be the most extensive and credible evaluation of charter schools to date.

The findings are compelling: the majority of charter schools demonstrated superior student progress, even with more challenging demographics. Earlier findings from CREDO in 2009 showed no improvement, a claim that has been consistently disproven in subsequent reports. Improvements in student performance have been observed year after year.

In New York, charter school students gained the equivalent of 75 days in reading and 73 days in math compared to their peers in traditional schools. Similar growth was recorded in Washington state with 29 days in reading and 30 in math, and in Illinois with 40 days in reading and 48 in math.

Notably, black and Hispanic students showed particularly significant gains. The report highlighted “gap-busting schools” that help underprivileged students achieve results comparable to their white counterparts. This contradicts the misconception about “uneducable” students.

Despite some charter schools underperforming relative to local district schools, they can be shut down when failing, unlike district schools, which often persist in their shortcomings. This accountability contrasts sharply with the traditional system.

Charter schools also have a positive ripple effect on nearby students. An analysis by the Fordham Foundation revealed that an increase in charter schools correlates with improved scores for all public school students in the region. Moreover, neighboring institutions have witnessed enhancements in attendance and behavior in response to competition.

This competitive dynamic challenges the district school monopoly, fostering a more accountable and student-focused environment. As traditional public schools lose enrollment, charter schools gained over 300,000 students in the past five years. Despite encouraging results, the resistance from teachers’ unions and the Democratic establishment continues.

Interestingly, charter schools enjoy substantial support among working-class and minority communities. A recent poll conducted by Democrats for Education Reform indicated 80% of black parents and 71% of Hispanic parents view charters favorably. Yet, teachers’ unions maintain significant political leverage, shaping educational policy to their advantage.

The Biden/Harris administration persists with budget cuts and strict regulations aimed at charter schools, undermining previous bipartisan support for these institutions. The choice remains stark: prioritize students’ needs or cater to the demands of powerful teachers’ unions.

Dr. Thomas Patterson, a former Chairman of the Goldwater Institute, served as an Arizona State senator for a decade in the 1990s and was Majority Leader from 1993 to 1996. He is credited with crafting Arizona’s original charter schools legislation.