One of the most hotly debated issues in the United States today is the controversial topic of education reform. Since public schools are funded almost entirely by local property taxes and money at the state level, many parents believe they deserve a greater say in what their children learn in school. However, sometimes parents' opinions contradict policies at the federal level, thus causing conflicts. Dissatisfaction with the public school system in their districts has led many Americas to seek other options for their children's education. In 1992, the first charter school opened in Minnesota, giving parents the opportunity to send their children to a free public school of their choice (“Charter Schools”). Even though approximately 2 million American students attend approximately 5,600 charter schools today, I do not think this is as beneficial to American students as charter school advocates claim. Despite all the “perks” that charter schools boast about and attract parents with, these schools do not necessarily perform better than middle schools. Charter schools give an unfair advantage to stronger students, leaving struggling students in weaker schools with fewer resources to help them. Perhaps most importantly, they are not accessible to all students, even though they are funded with public taxpayer money. While the motivations behind charter schools are admirable, they are not worth it. Our efforts to improve education are better spent investing in the public schools we already have. Despite their intended purpose, charter schools do not perform statistically better than other schools, making them ineffective. Amy Ruck, director of the Office of Charter Schools in New Jersey, explained that charter school law allows charter schools to be…middle charter…they desperately need help, but charter schools are not necessarily the answer to problems. Works Cited “Charter Schools.” Galegroup.com. Opposing Points of View, 2012. Web. 1 April 2014."Education". Galegroup.com. Opposing Views, 2012. Web. April 1, 2014.Hernandez, Javier C. “De Blasio Tries to Block 3 Charter Schools from Moving into Public Spaces.” New York Times. The New York Times Company, February 27, 2014. Web. April 1, 2014. Ravitch, Diane. “Overcoming the blame game.” Editorial. NJEA Magazine November 2013: n. page Print.Rotherham, Andrew J. “KIPP Schools: A Reform Triumph or Disappointment?” Time Magazine April 27, 2011: n. page Network. April 1, 2014.Ruck, Amy. “Director of the New Jersey Office of Charter Schools.” Interview via email. May 7, 2014.Tyson, Alec. “Many Americans say the education system needs an overhaul.” Pewresearch.org. Pew Research, August 13, 2013. Web.