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Forum will show charter school options By VICKI GUARINO Advocates of school choice and options in education will hold a forum in Medford this week on the formation of charter schools. Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy, part of a national organization advocating deregulation and free markets, is joining a newly formed Oregon Education Coalition in presenting the program. Shannon Sanders, who heads a public charter school in Eagle Point, also will make a presentation. The free session will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Reston Inn, 2300 Crater Lake Highway, Medford. Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy spokeswoman Cathy Epley said the Medford session, and a similar session in Portland, are intended to show the public some of the potential of the charter schools as an alternative in public education. Charter schools focus curriculum to specialize in particular areas of interest. Sanders' Renaissance School, for instance, bases lessons around instruction in the arts. It organized in Eagle Point last fall and attracted about 40 elementary and middle school students. An Ashland charter school emphasizes environmental studies. The schools operate under the jurisdiction of the local school boards, and must meet certain public school standards. But charter schools operate without some of the state and federal regulations on standard public schools. The idea, says Epley and other charter school proponents, is to recognize some of the different learning styles among students and give students and parents some education options. Charter schools are generally smaller and can be more flexible in curriculum to reach students, supporters say. Some objections raised against charter schools include concerns that they will drain funding from standard public schools, and will offer a lower quality of instruction by using unlicensed teachers. Oregon's newly passed charter school law sets out the legal standing for the charters, says Epley, and likely will encourage formation of more charter schools in the state. Just a handful are currently operating. Epley said she knows of several plans to start charter schools in the Portland area. Under the new state law, local school boards have authority to approve formation of a charter school. If a board rejects a request, proponents may appeal the denial to the Oregon Board of Education. The Medford meeting is intended to show the public the kinds of schooling options charters offer. "It is for people who don't even know what a charter school is," Epley said. The Oregon Education Coalition, also based in Portland, is expected to offer charter organizers some guidance in setting up their schools. The coalition, formed about a year ago, is a resource center for information about various public school options and alternatives. It operates on donations from businesses. Coalition organizer Rob Kremer will join Eagle Point's Sanders in the Medford forum. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA