The state Department of Education’s approval of three new Commonwealth charter schools and renewal of eight charters — including that of the Seven Hills charter school in Worcester — is a reminder of one of the puzzling aspects of Massachusetts’ education reform effort: Why hasn’t the other public charter school option, Horace Mann schools, had similar public appeal?

The new charters will bring to 61 the number of Commonwealth charters statewide in the fall of 2007. Enrollment currently is about 23,000, with about 15,000 on waiting lists.

By contrast, the Horace Mann option largely has been ignored. Just eight Horace Mann schools have been established statewide, and no district or group has applied for a Horace Mann charter in the past two years.  

The reasons why are explored in a new study by the Rennie Center, the education policy group, which interviewed a cross section of lawmakers, state education officials, heads of major education associations and charter school experts. They suggested a variety of political challenges, financial disincentives and lack of information have proved to be obstacles.

Indeed, in part because Horace Mann concept is in a sense a compromise between district and charter schools, it may be less appealing to energized reformers than the autonomous Commonwealth charter model.

The Rennie Center urges that more must be done to clarify the roles and responsibilities in Horace Mann schools of teachers, school committees, unions and administration. It recommends targeting Horace Mann charters for specific challenges, such as converting low-performing schools. It recommends “support mechanisms” for prospective Horace Mann school organizers.

With little interest among district educators, the future of Horace Mann charter schools is in doubt. It would be regrettable to allow the concept to fall by the wayside, however, without thoughtful consideration by policy-makers and educators of the potentially useful educational roles Horace Mann charter schools might play.