Charter groups want to take over failing Texas district

Three of Houston’s top-performing charter school operators are making a pitch to run the long-troubled North Forest (Texas) school district. The Houston Chronicle says the charter groups — KIPP, YES Prep and Harmony — are asking Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams to approve their plan, instead of having the Houston Independent School District take over North Forest. The North Forest school board has signed off on the charter operators' concept. Last month, Williams ordered the annexation of North Forest, addled with academic and financial problems, into the Houston district. Under the charter plan, the school board would collect taxes, but the three charter groups and a nonprofit management group would control spending, hiring and other decisions.