NEA Seeks To Help Start Five Charter Schools

By Ann Bradley

Washington

The National Education Association plans to spend $1.5 million over the next five years to help its affiliates start charter schools in five states and to study their progress.

"Frankly, we believe that, if done right, charters offer new and exciting possibilities," Keith B. Geiger, the union's president, said at a news conference here to announce details of the project. "Charter schools have the capacity to remove the bureaucratic handcuffs and offer NEA members opportunities to remake schools to respond...