Name: Eileen Sigmund
Title: Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Charter Schools Association
Education: J.D., Catholic University, Washington, D.C.
B.S., cum laude, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.

Q: What makes Arizona different?

Charters have flourished in Arizona because of parent demand. Parents flock to charter schools that have a science and math curriculum or an arts curriculum, for example. The variety of programs out there to meet our diverse student population has really fueled the increase in schools meeting this demand.

Q: What’s the history behind Arizona’s charter school lead?

Because Arizona opened charter schools in the mid-1990s, parents have gotten accustomed to a certain level of choice. Charters lead the way in choice, but there are other mechanisms such as magnet and International Baccalaureate schools. And we have open enrollment, so you can cross district boundaries. That’s a natural progression of choice.

Q: What are the arguments in favor of charter schools?

Charter schools are public schools that innovate, while still being held accountable for student achievement. They lead the way for many productive changes such as competition. For example, when a charter school has established itself, some districts will then start a magnet school a mile down the road in response. Charter schools are forcing districts to rethink the way they’re providing education to our students. Q: What do the critics say? Probably the most prevalent criticism leveled at charter schools is that they take money away from district schools. However, if there wasn’t a demand from parents seeking alternatives for their children, it wouldn’t be an issue. Charter schools exist because parents recognize that every child learns in a different and unique environment.

Q: Are there other charter-specific financial issues?

Charters nationwide don’t have access to property taxes. In high schools, it makes a bigger difference. The sports facilities are in the bigger districts. And when we issue a bond, our lending rates are higher. In addition, charter schools receive less per-pupil funding. In 2007-08, Arizona charters received $7,875 while districts received $9,727 per pupil.

Q: What’s one of your success stories?

One charter opened in response to the closure of a district k-6 school with a 95% homeless population. That school closed its doors, and a charter school was able to open two blocks away. The students just flocked to the charter school: Children First Academy. It’s the largest school in the nation serving homeless children. We cannot self-select only homeless students, but that’s the population that enrolled.

Q: What are your hopes for the future of Arizona charters?

We hope to continue to serve our mission of high-quality charter schools meeting our students’ needs. We’re actively hoping high-quality leaders open schools. You can’t open schools without a good, fiscally sound business plan.

Q: What’s your take on President Obama and education?

What Obama is recommending is removing caps on charter growth across the nation. Arizona removed its caps in 1999. What I see is a president who is actively praising and supporting schools that work for our students. He’s asking to replicate charters that have shown to increase student achievement--and he’s advocating for the funds to do this.

Sheila Riley is a San Francisco-based freelance journalist. She is also an experienced online editor and ESL curriculum developer, and teaches ESL at City College of San Francisco.

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