Meanwhile, New York’s thriving char ter schools seem to have dodged an other political hit.
Powerful lawmakers in Albany were set to radically slow the growth of charters statewide by stripping the State University of its power to OK new schools.
Now, it appears, a key legislator has had a change of heart.
Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Westchester) yesterday told The Post that she’s withdrawing the measure, citing an eye-opening inquiry into the charter schools in question.
The bill would have given the state Board of Regents — which currently gets to OK charters created by local school districts — veto power over SUNY-created charters as well.
Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch had backed a change along these lines, claiming that SUNY’s approval process tends to “rile the public” — read: the teachers unions — at least in New York City.
That, of course, was just the latest excuse trotted out by defenders of the educational status quo to fend off real parental choice.
But Oppenheimer apparently is having none of it: “As it turns out, [SUNY charters] are actually some of our very best,” she said.
Who knows what other factors influenced her flip-flop — but we’re inclined to take her at her word.
It would seem that charter schools are so successful, even an Albany pol sees it.