Teacher's unions are vehemently opposed to vouchers, Mayoral Academies, or the addition of more charter schools.  Each of these three options would increase the choices available to parents who live in cities or towns with lousy school systems.  Of course, teachers don't want to increase choices because they probably know that most parents wouldn't choose traditional public schools.  This would eventually cut enrollment, followed by teaching positions, which would then cut union membership.  If you doubt the demand for more educational choices, read this excerpt from today's Providence Journal:

Yesterday, 8 of the state’s 11 charter schools held their annual admissions lotteries, which determine the academic futures of thousands of youngsters in such cities as Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Woonsocket, districts that have traditionally been hamstrung by low test scores, high dropout rates and crumbling school buildings. (The remaining three schools have either held or scheduled their own lotteries.)

That parents are looking for an alternative to traditional public schools is borne out by the numbers: this year, charter schools received 3,454 applicants for 559 openings. The Learning Community Charter School, in Central Falls, had 500 applications for 50 spaces while Highlander Academy, a Providence charter school, received 581 applications for 44 openings.

     I teach kindergarten at a privately owned preschool.  Each year, I meet parents who want to find the best school for their children.  In many cases, especially among Providence residents, I find they are appalled by the schools they tour.  Top private schools like Wheeler, Moses Brown, or the Gordon School can cost $20,000 per year or more, which usually isn't an option.  That usually leaves them with 2 options: Catholic schools or charter schools.  I find that these are the most popular choices, but what happens if a family isn't religious or isn't Catholic?  You need to move to another community, or hope your named gets picked in the charter school lottery.

     It's unfortunate that the educational system is set up to satisfy the unions rather than families in the community.  There is obviously a huge demand for more charter schools.  This demand should be addressed as soon as possible.
 

http://www.projo.com/news/content/charter_school_lottery_04-08-09_E8DVF27_v16.378775e.html