Benched
Athletes at D.C. charter schools should be allowed to compete in city championships.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

"MAYBE WE'LL be equal one day." That was the wistful hope expressed by a young D.C. athlete denied the chance to compete in a city championship game. And it should shame the District into finally creating a level playing field for all of its public school students, including the many who attend charter schools.

The D.C. schools' sports double standard was highlighted by last week's City Title basketball games pitting teams from Catholic schools against public schools. Not eligible to share in this 42-year-old tradition were the District's 56 charter schools. Never mind that, as young Antwan Lowry of Booker T. Washington Public Charter School told Post reporters, "We're the same. We're a public school." Charters, which receive public money but are not run by the D.C. school system, are the schools of choice for a growing number of parents and their children. With 22,000 students, the charters are on a path to exceed the public schools in enrollment. It's maddening that they are left out of an event such as the City Title games, which drew more than 6,000 fans to the Verizon Center.

The discrimination isn't limited to exclusion from championships. Charters also struggle to find places to practice and play. Why should these schools have to pay $87 an hour to rent space in Maryland when there are underused school facilities in the District?

In fact, the second-class treatment is rooted in the antagonism that surrounded the creation of the charter movement. Not only did Congress direct the District to allow the schools, but there was a feeling among some D.C. politicians that charters were "stealing" students -- the fact that parents rightly wanted an alternative to the awful public schools notwithstanding.

It's encouraging that a more welcoming view is emerging among District officials. D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) rightly decried the disenfranchisement of charter school athletes. And Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee supports the inclusion of charters in postseason play as part of improved cooperation between the different branches of the school system. More than charter students will benefit from a richer and more robust sports program. Who knows? It could even mean a better shot for public school students at winning the City Titles.