Thousands of low-income Black and Hispanic parents relying on charter schools are on thin political ice as the conservative-liberal alliance to support charter schools begins to falter.

The polarized rhetoric about charter schools obscures the work both “sides” ought to be doing to better serve all kids.

Communities across the country are embroiled in charter school battles, from a D.C. debate about charters, data and transparency to the latest round of Chicago teacher strikes. These debates almost always devolve into the familiar charter-versus-district narrative that paints a false choice between the two school models.

Bellwether partner Andrew J. Rotherham was interviewed by Greg Richmond, formerly of Chicago Public Schools and more recently the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. They talked about how education is such a powerful a lever for change, what Andy’s learned since he was younger, and why data are so often weaponized in this sector.