Charter schools celebrate 10 years

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico law that made charter schools possible is 10 years old.

The New Mexico Coalition for Charter Schools says at the start of the 2009-2010 school year there were 73 public charter schools statewide.

Coalition officials say more than 4,000 New Mexico students are on waiting lists to attend the schools.

The Legislature passed the Charter Schools Expansion Act in 1999, opening the door for charter schools.

The coalition's chief executive, Lisa Grover, says charter schools are leading the way in reforming public education.

State Public Education Secretary Veronica C. Garcia says charter schools are fulfilling an unmet need as the demand for them increases.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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