Michigan Judge Nixes ‘Charter Schools’

A Michigan judge’s decision invalidating the state’s establishment of “charter schools” has thrown the state’s alternative-education movement into disarray. Ironically, the Christian school that was the focus of the lawsuit seems only to have gained strength from the turn of events.

“We now have more than 1,700 students, and we have had about 100 more requests for applications” in the wake of the November 1 ruling, said David Kallman, founder and legal counsel for the Noah Webster Academy, a charter school based in Ionia. The school, which has 15 teachers who operate from a central facility, links home-schooled children – most from Christian families – to a computer network.

Kallman created the Noah Webster Academy after a law adopted a year ago by the Michigan legislature allowed the establishment of “charter schools.” Similar legislation has been passed in 10 states.

Under the Michigan law, each student enrolled in a charter school would take with him state funding roughly equal to that provided for other public-school students. Charter schools could develop their own governing boards, educational plans, and performance standards. They could be authorized by public school, community college, or public university boards of trustees.

The Michigan Education Association – joined by the American Civil Liberties Union – sued the academy and the state, seeking to void the law.

Richard McLellan, the attorney who represented the state in the suit, said the decision will be appealed and that charter-school advocates also would attempt quickly to write and pass new legislation that addresses the judge’s misgivings. Kallman all along has assumed the case will wind up in the Michigan Supreme Court – if not the U.S. Supreme Court – in large part because it may have church-state implications.

Kallman structured his school from the beginning to depend on donations and volunteers. The judge’s decision to hold up disbursement of $4.5 million to Noah Webster and seven other charter schools for the current school year has threatened the survival of some schools, financed with borrowed money.

Copyright © 1994 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Cosmic Combat: Philip Yancey explores themes not often captured on Christmas cards

Cover Story

The Other Side of Christmas, Part 2

Cover Story

The Other Side of Christmas

Do We Still Need the Reformation? Part 1

Pentecostals Renounce Racism

Graham Preaches Reconciliation in Atlanta

Alabama Pastor's Murder Prompts Unity

Episcopal Bishop Joins Others on Road to Rome

Should Expectant Mothers Be Tested for HIV?

The Lost Sex Study

Religious Schools Fear Accreditation Changes

Do We Still Need the Reformation? Part 2

Why I Signed ‘Evangelicals and Catholics Together’

BOOKS: Modern Wise Men Encounter Jesus. Part 1

BOOKS: Modern Wise Men Encounter Jesus. Part 2

Abstinence - Chic, Like a Virgin

Russian Orthodox Church's Influence Expands

Will Rwanda Be Rebuilt?

Rachel Saint Dies

Editorial

EDITORIAL: For Whom the Bell Curves

News

Pope Lands on Bestseller List

News

Close Encounters Across Cultures

News

News Briefs: December 12, 1994

News

Michael English Launches Second Career

Well-Swilled and Stinking No More

LETTERS: The Population Problem

Fear of Looking Forward

Why We Believe in the Virgin Birth

News

Schuller Seeks Theater Converts

ARTICLE: Cosmology’s Holy Grail By Hugh Ross

BOOKS: Friends or Lovers?

BOOKS: Worth Mentioning

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from December 12, 1994

Conservatives Gain Upper Hand

No Conservative Tide on Homosexual Rights

View issue

Our Latest

High Time for an Honest Conversation about THC

Legal cannabis may be here to stay, but the Christian conversation is just getting started.

The National Guard Debate Needs a Dose of Honesty

Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

News

Saudi Arabian Prison Frees Kenyan After ‘Blood Money’ Payout

A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube