Maryland: Public gradually embraces charter schools despite statewide despite barriers
In the first few years of Maryland’s experiment with charter schools, Baltimore led the way with an explosion of new schools of all varieties. More slowly and cautiously, county districts are following the city’s lead, allowing more of these publicly funded and privately operated schools to open as alternatives to the traditional public-school education . . .
Yet charters still face hurdles in getting started – from the local school officials who view them as competition to the pressure of construction costs. Of the 20 charter applications received statewide last school year, 16 were denied.