New York City will open 18 charter schools in September, bringing the number of charter schools in the city to 78. The schools are part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's efforts to improve the city's education system.
Students in charter schools typically score higher on standardized reading and math tests than those in traditional public schools. Bloomberg said charters can help other schools improve.
"I can tell you," Bloomberg said at a news conference, "one of the reasons that the public schools in the city have gotten better is because the charter schools exist and give parents an alternative and let parents see that you can do something better.”
Bloomberg has promised to open at least 100 charter schools before the end of 2009. Charters receive public money but are run independently.
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Parents have several choices when it comes to education.
