The Poll: Thumbs up for charter school growth?

Charter schools in Hempstead and Roosevelt are preparing major expansions, with officials in both schools citing increased parent demand.

The Academy Charter School in Hempstead will reopen classes next month in a renovated 34,500-square-foot building with a gymnasium and electronic "smart boards" in each classroom. And Roosevelt Children's Academy Charter School is drafting its own expansion plans. It will seek Albany's approval to add grades nine through 12 and form the Island's first charter high school.

But some experts say charter school performance nationwide differs little on average from achievement in traditional schools.

Do you support the growth of charter schools, or do you think is it a drain on traditional schools? Tell us in our poll below.