In the Los Angeles Unified School District, charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently from the district. Think about it for a minute: public monies are used to fund private schools. Currently, LAUSD has 151 charter schools within its attendance boundaries - more than any other school district in the country.

The school district is currently being held accountable for the fact that these private charter schools are not welcoming special needs students, particularly those who need wheelchair accommodations.

Although privately operated, the money for these students comes from the state ADA allowance to the school. That means that any draw upon funds for these schools (such as building wheelchair ramps or providing school bus transportation) comes from LAUSD pockets, not charter sources.

The result? Far less money for the children who still attend LAUSD schools.

In essence, the charter school movement is creating a two-tier education system, somewhat along the lines of the British model.

Cui bono?