Mich. Teachers Assail Universities That Grant Charters

By Jeanne Ponessa

A handful of Michigan public school teachers have expressed their opposition to charter schools by refusing to accept student-teachers from universities that grant charters.

The teachers believe that Michigan's charter school program represents a slap in the face--and the pocketbook--of public schools. The education schools of at least two state universities involved with charter school activities have received complaints from teachers: Grand Valley State University in Allendale and Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant.

University officials say that, though they can't control whether teachers accept student-teachers, they hope their students don't get caught in the...