$60 million venture fund for Chicago charters

The Renaissance Schools Fund, which for the last six years has poured enough startup money into new charter schools to triple their number in the Chicago Public Schools system, has announced a new $60 million venture fund to add 50 more charter schools. -- Chicago Tribune 4/20/11

"These are not innovative charter schools," says Gary Miron, professor of education at Western Michigan University, who co-wrote a critical report on KIPP. "What we're talking about are corporate schools or franchises."