CHARTER SCHOOLS STANDARDS PROBED TOUGHER OVERSIGHT BY LAUSD SOUGHT.

Byline: NAUSH BOGHOSSIAN Staff Writer

The LAUSD board will consider today setting up a better oversight system to monitor charter schools, which could lead to the closing of a number of charters with low test scores and financial problems.

``When the inspector general looks at the finances of a couple of these schools, it may result in some charters being pulled,'' said board member Jon Lauritzen, who has pushed for increased scrutiny of the alternative schools that operate independently from the district.

Lauritzen estimated that fewer than a half-dozen schools would be impacted.

Caprice Young, who heads up the California Charter Schools Association, said charter campuses are open to the idea of tougher oversight.

``I think it's true there are a couple that deserve some real scrutiny,'' she said.

Board members concerned about the growth of charters -- the district approved the 100th in March -- are looking at legislation that would make it easier for school boards to deny charters that would have a negative fiscal impact on the district.

Given school districts' limited ability to reject charter applications, some board members feel they have reached the point of ``rubber-stamping'' applications -- without monitoring their performances.

Those effects on the district have included declining enrollment -- and funding -- at traditional campuses.

Lauritzen said the board today would also consider studying the financial and educational impacts charters have had on the district.

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

[phone]