One of the most pressing problems facing the United States today is its failing education system. Although many solutions have been proposed, the idea of ​​charter schools is both popular and controversial. The topic of charter schools is debated in as many places as local school board meetings to state supreme courts. Although, on the surface, charter schools seem like an exciting and promising step for the future of education in America, they are not the answer to this country's ever-growing educational problems. Charter schools will drain already scarce funds from regular public schools, and many of the so-called “positives” surrounding them are uncertain and unpredictable at best. Charter schools are best known for combining the features and characteristics of public and private schools. Charter schools are not limited to many of the rules and policies imposed on other public schools (Gale 1). For example, charters give teachers more freedom and are not expected to stick to a certain curriculum. Since there are no specific criteria in place for charter school teachers, salary scales should not be followed for teachers and administrators. Additionally, charter schools are publicly funded and have specialized responsibility to produce certain outcomes. Although charter schools may seem attractive at first, deeper research shows that they actually have flaws. Because of the high standards displayed by charters, the brightest students in public schools often flee to charters in search of a better learning environment. Ironically, charter schools generally attract less qualified teachers because of their lower salaries. Often the result is that many students end up leaving the charter system, sometimes with a decrease in learning a...... middle of paper ...... tools. " 2012. Opposing Views. Paper. November 20, 2013. . Mhoon, Jim. “Focus on the Family,” and Focus on the Family. November 20, 2013. Ravitch, Diane. “Charter School Success is a Myth ». 2013. .