Why don't charter schools fight against seat time requirements?

In an excellent article at The Journal, David Nagel discusses the value of getting rid of a seat time requirement and stressing proficiency as a means of promotion. While many online schools are doing just this, the need to promote this practice in brick and mortar schools is now. I don't understand why more charter schools have not fought for this means of education. So many charter schools simply go along with the flow when I know that several leaders here in Colorado favor at least some modifications to seat time requirements.

This would be especially valuable in dual enrollment situations so that a student might get into college level courses even earlier. It could even benefit vocational students. What if a student who enjoys working on cars can show mastery of auto work within weeks? Why should he or she spend an entire semester in auto shop?

It's the same with literature. Some students read voraciously over the summer. Why not give elective credit or give the student an assigned reading list? Summer school could be incredibly easy for these students.

We used to be the oddball parents who would allow our gifted child to do math over the summer when she was 7 years old. She completed an entire year of 3rd grade math over the summer. What happened when she returned to school for 3rd grade? You guessed it. She got to repeat 3rd grade math.

This would not only help gifted children, but would also help those who needed more time. Students would not simply be passed on, but would attain a certain level of proficiency before being moved on. It's also possible that a student that is good in reading could spend additional time in math so as not to extend the school year or day.

We consider it a punishment that some kids have to go to summer school to complete subjects, but isn't that better than leaving non-proficient student to forget even more over the summer? Part of the problem is the stigma of summer school. When I was younger, there were summer options to get ahead. Now, summer school is for dummies.

While I'm not one that believes that all are created equally when it comes to intellectual capacity, it has become clear to me that many students that have been left to drop out or labeled unteachable are actually capable of learning. The idea that all students should be in school the same number of hours for the same number of days studying each subject for the same amount of time is outdated (if it was really ever believed).

Charter schools as the self-appointed vanguards of innovation need to begin to produce real plans for every child to learn. This should include some modification of the seat time illusion. Charter schools will have to fight in the legislatures to get serious modifications, but the time has come for real innovation. Our children's education depends on it.