A Democratic challenger for governor wants to change the rules for Michigan's for-profit charter schools.
Mark Schauer says Gov. Rick Snyder's education policies are undermining traditional public schools.
The former state representative and senator says charter schools need better financial and performance oversight. Schauer sees the growth in the number of for-profit and cyberschools as a misuse of taxpayer money.
"It's become the Wild West out there, and these for-profit schools see children with dollar signs in the middle of their foreheads," Schauer says.
He wants to require a freeze on bringing in new students if a charter school does not meet performance standards.
Schauer also says the schools spend a lot of money on advertising, trying to market themselves to parents.
"I don't think that's the best way to get an education. And I don't think using our tax dollars to go to advertising executives or corporate CEOs is the best way to have a skilled workforce in Michigan, either."
Schauer is calling for a one-stop website that offers side-by-side comparisons of all schools, showing educational philsophy, academic standards and spending.
He also wants for-profit schools to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
