Charters are run for profit across the United States. Often for-profit organizations help form nonprofits to apply for a charter school license. In turn, the nonprofits enter into contracts with the for-profit organization to run the school. The Network for Public Education found that over 30% of Arizona’s charter schools are run for profit.
Why does this matter?
Charters run for profit have been found to discriminate against students with special needs. Accommodating IEPs costs money, which reduces how much charter operators can pad their pockets.
Additionally, to send money off to their for-profit affiliate, charters often shortchange teacher salaries and encourage teacher turnover. Our students benefit from experienced teachers leading their classrooms.
Teachers at BASIS Tucson North unionized to stand up for teachers and students. We unionized to stand up against corporate profiteering. We encourage you to read more about charters run for profit and stand with us.
- NPE – Chartered For Profit: The Hidden World of Charter Schools Operated for Financial Gain
- NPE – Chartered For Profit II: Pandemic Profiteering
- ACLU Arizona – Special Education and Disability Requirements