Mich. Judge Strikes Down Charter Law

By Drew Lindsay

A Michigan judge ruled the state's new charter-school law unconstitutional last week, dealing the charter-school movement a major legal setback.

Michigan's charter schools do not meet the state constitution's definition of public schools, the judge ruled. He also argued that the new law usurps the constitutional power of the state board of education to supervise schools.

Though Gov. John Engler plans to appeal, the decision scrambled his education-reform plans and left uncertain the fate of the eight schools whose charters have been approved...