Published: November 06, 2009 01:00 pm      

Thousands attend rally for charter schools

ATLANTA (AP) — About 2,000 charter school students, teachers and supporters gathered outside the Gold Dome on Friday to rally support for their schools.

Speakers at the event drew thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd of students holding signs saying “I love my public charter school” and “I want a public charter school in my community.” The rally was organized by the Georgia Charter Schools Association.

Georgia has about 120 charter schools, which are funded with taxpayer dollars but are exempt from many of the rules that govern public schools. Charter schools are given flexibility to determine how to raise test scores and improve learning.

The state’s charter school law is under fire from two separate lawsuits filed by four public school districts alleging the state’s Charter School Commission is unconstitutional.

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On the Net:

Georgia Charter Schools Association: http://www.gacharters.org/