Upstate New York has had its share of failed charter schools.

Some years back, Edison Schools had a charter school in Rochester, which was a disaster and later shuttered by its state authorizer.  Not far away another charter (acquired by Imagine Schools)  in Syracuse was shut down due to poor academic performance, and county bond holders were left holding the bag for the closed school.  In Buffalo, Stepping Stone Academy, another Edison school, across the street from one of the most toxic lead dumps in  the state, was shut down due to poor academic performance as was a former KIPP school, Sankofa.  (KIPP bailed out before closure to protect their “brand.”)

But here we go again.

The newly elected mayor of Rochester pledged to open more charter schools.

Hope springs eternal.

Does she know that the charters are likely to screen out students with disabilities (other than the mildest ones)…