Duncan: State-charter schools need work

WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- States need to work with charter school operators to turn around struggling schools and offer students choices, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said.

"States need to have a plan to turn around their lowest-performing schools," Duncan said in a statement Thursday.

Duncan said he favors using "whatever model works for children," and wants to include charter schools in the mix. States that impede innovation "are limiting opportunities for students" and risk putting themselves at a disadvantage in securing federal grants, he said.

"Let me be clear, I am not simply advocating for more charter schools," Duncan said. "We need more good charter schools. There needs to be a high bar set for entry during the charter application process, and accountability systems need to link student achievement to instruction."