With all deliberate speed: Why Georgia Supreme Court must act quickly on charter school lawsuit
This opinion piece was sent to me by Andrew Broy, president of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and a former associate state superintendent for the Georgia Department of Education. While with DOE, Broy oversaw charter schools and is considered an expert on the topic.
By Andrew Broy
The Georgia Supreme Court currently holds the educational fate of nearly 15,000 Georgia public school students in its hands. As reported last week, the Georgia Supreme Court has decided to delay issuing an opinion in the Charter Schools Commission lawsuit, a suit by seven local school districts to stop the State Charter Schools Commission from approving (and funding) charter schools that were not approved by a local district
The legal issue is whether the state legislature overreached when it established a state-level charter school authorizer with the power to overrule local objections to a charter application. At base, however, the issue is over control of educational dollars and whether parents can affect the allocation of those dollars through their selection of a public school option.
While this delay is unusual, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise given the significance of the case. In fact, the single most influential educational lawsuit in our country’s history – Brown vs. Board of Education – has a similar history. The U.S. Supreme Court originally heard Brown in the spring of 1953. Unable to decide the case, the Court reheard the case in the fall of 1953 and thereafter ruled in 1954 that legally segregated public schools were inherently unequal under the U.S. Constitution.
But it was not until 1955 that the court ordered Southern states to move “with all deliberate speed” to desegregate their public schools. Seeing an opportunity, most Southern states “deliberated” for years. This resistance achieved its intended aim: By 1964, a full 10 years after Brown, only 2 percent of black children in the South attended desegregated schools.
The significance of this history should not be lost on the Georgia Supreme Court. The principal defendant in the lawsuit is Ivy Preparatory Academy, an all-girls charter school in Gwinnett County. Ivy Prep is a high-performing open enrollment charter school serving a population that is 94 percent minority.
Despite evidence that the achievement gap persists in Georgia, Ivy Prep is proving that demography is not destiny. Indeed, every single one of its students met or exceeded state standards on the state English/Language Arts exam in 2010, a rate that surpassed Gwinnett County Schools, which itself is an extremely high-performing district and a recent Broad award winner as the nation’s top urban system.
Of course, the commission lawsuit is not about academic achievement. It is about the allocation of school funding. While the debate rages, one thing is clear. The Court should rule, and soon. The delay signals that the justices are likely split on the outcome. If the court rules in favor of the commission, business will continue as it has for the past two years. If it rules against the commission, there will likely be an effort to amend the constitution to provide a funding mechanism.
In any event, thousands of parents and students are deciding right now whether to enroll in a commission charter school. Only the Court can tell them if they can.
-From Maureen Downey and the AJC Get Schooled blog
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69 comments Add your comment
David Sims
April 3rd, 2011
2:30 am
By whom is Broy considered an expert on the topic?
Still up...
April 3rd, 2011
2:58 am
Good letter!
Public & Private Parent
April 3rd, 2011
5:51 am
Fantastic letter, so much great insight.
Ernest
April 3rd, 2011
6:31 am
Great letter! I concur this lawsuit is about the allocation of school funding.
East Cobb Parent
April 3rd, 2011
7:24 am
It’s always about the money, never the children.
Struggling Teacher
April 3rd, 2011
7:25 am
Charter schools are helping the public schools to their total demise.
APS westside parent
April 3rd, 2011
9:39 am
Maureen- Is there any group that is taking on the project of educating the public about the pros and cons of school choice? I see the positive side of charter schools and some are probably very good. Charter school proponents are great at getting their story out there. Where is the unified voice of the public school proponents, including parents of public school students? Better yet, where is the group that will set out the pros and cons of both sides? We all need to be educated on both sides of the issue. I do not want to throw the baby ( public schools) out with the bath water. For example, I am suspicious when I read figures about the cost of educating a student in a non-charter APS school vs. a charter school. Charter schools are presented as more cost effective and therefore a better option. Do the figures factor in the fact that the public school must educate children with special needs and behavioral issues and children whose primary language is not English? Apples and oranges. I just want to know the facts so I can decide my stand on the complicated issue of school choice. I assume I am not alone.
East Atlanta Teacher
April 3rd, 2011
9:51 am
Money, and where the educational power is to be vested. It may be useful to take a good look at the relationship between the charter schools, school systems, the State Charter Commission, and the DOE and determine how that relationship should work. Should the ruling favor the State Commission, then local systems will have to revamp budgets, and for the allocation of funds to those schools. This may actually be a good thing, another way systems become more accountable for their budgets and serving children. Bottom line, perhaps not will all deliberate speed, but with enough to insure the best interests of the child. I hope the people involved will act with good judgment, and not politically motivated reasons.
Young Teacher
April 3rd, 2011
9:54 am
I hope it gets solved quickly. I have been RIF’d for the third time in the last three years and it seems that the only schools calling me in for interviews are charter schools. I may be teaching at one of these schools soon.
Ernest
April 3rd, 2011
9:59 am
ECP, while it should be about the children, we must acknowledge that whoever controls the money also has the power. In this day and age of measures, metrics, and accountability, it is incumbent upon citizens to put the RIGHT people in power.
Wow
April 3rd, 2011
10:21 am
Wow. Andrew Broy “with all deliberate speed” this the same Andrew Broy who sat for nearly a year on a complaint from APS (North Atlanta HS) and Fulton Co (Riverwood HS) concerning charter enrollment..which ultimately was forced to go to court days before the school year opened. Instead of doing his job and solving this issue, he did nothing and then took a job in Illinois..leaving families in crisis and two communities divided after APS won the case. So Mr. Broy you now have an opinion in GA? I only hope the citizens of Illinois are receiving better from you then we did in GA! You should be ashamed Mr. Broy.
Wow
April 3rd, 2011
10:23 am
Wow. Andrew Broy “with all deliberate speed” this the same Andrew Broy who sat for nearly a year on a complaint from APS (North Atlanta HS) and Fulton Co (Riverwood HS) concerning charter enrollment..which ultimately was forced to go to court days before the school year opened. Instead of doing his job and solving this issue, he did nothing and then took a job in Illinois..leaving families in crisis and two communities divided. So Mr. Broy you now have an opinion in GA? I only hope the citizens of Illinois are receiving better from you then we did in GA!
Dr. Craig Spinks/ Augusta
April 3rd, 2011
11:06 am
Between the options of leading a statewide charge for substantial academic and behavioral improvements in our traditional public schools and of preventing state financing of charter schools, is anyone surprised that our state’s self-serving educrats have chosen the second option in their efforts to stem the tide of students’ moving from traditional to charter schools?
So long as we pay salaries, wages, fees and other charges without regard to how each expenditure contributes to improved student outcomes, we taxpayers should not expect such outcomes.
Interesting
April 3rd, 2011
12:20 pm
You forgot to mention that Andrew Broy wrote an amicus brief in support of the Commission.
As to Ivy Prep’s record of success — they have had such a record since opening according to all reports. That would seem to mean they came to the school prepared, on track, and willing to learn and work. It’s hardly a miracle that they are still so 2 years later. It would be disturbing if they weren’t.
And as to the minority population at Ivy, which always seems to be brought up, does that matter? If the concept and funding mechanism are constitutional and good public policy, it shouldn’t matter if they are white or minority, rich or poor. Would the proponents not fight just as hard for a school of rich, white boys? Oh yeah, that wouldn’t pull at the heartstrings would it?
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
12:32 pm
APS Westside Parent: I believe that the majority of individuals supporting charter schools would answer you in this way, and I hope you’ll find the perspective one you may share…
Charters don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater on traditional public schools either. There are a lot of very fine traditional public schools, and even poorly performing traditional public schools have some excellent teachers and staff. Those who support charters don’t have to be opposed to traditional public schools. Charters aren’t meant to take over – just provide another option for parents. They are meant to raise achievement though academic and organizational innovation.
I have used this analogy before, but I believe it illustrates my point very well. As an undergrad, I had the choice of going to a large university, a mid sized university, a small college, and everything in between related to focus, culture, etc. When I visited colleges and universities, I paid close attention to many factors – playing heavily in my decision was the size and the culture of the institution. I finally settled on a small college where I felt very comfortable, and I had a great academic experience there. Does that mean I couldn’t have gotten a good education at a large university? No, but I believe I would not have performed as well becuase the larger universities didn’t fit my individual needs as a student. Many of my friends attended the larger university and had a terrific experience because that suited their needs and preferences.
Similarly, we have K-12 students who need the traditional public school setting with everything it has to offer. And other students need a different environment, one that perhaps isn’t offered in the traditional setting in a given district, but may be offered in the charter sector. The parent should be able to evaluate their children’s needs and place them where their student can find the greatest success and be the most productive, motivated, and happy. In that way, every child has a chance to truly be served.
I founded a charter school and feel confident that we provide a great experience for many students – including special needs, English as a second language learners, remedial, gifted, and students served in the regular programs. But, I do not by any stretch of the imagination, believe we can meet the needs of every student. Our school understands the value of the traditional public school system for some students and supports parents selecting whichever environment best suits their child. It is our hope as a charter school that we can share some of our successes with our district, and that we can learn from them as well. It is this kind of collaboration that is going to make the difference for kids in our community. When you can get past the issue of the dollars and realize that we’re all serving students, then good work can come out of both environments.
This issue with the Commission does need speedy resolution – as the wait is having a negative impact on both the districts and the charters – and most of all, the kids. I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will find in favor of charters and that when that happens, we can begin to move on in serving the needs of kids as our intent has always been. This lawsuit has been a tremendous distractor for all involved.
A Conservative Voice
April 3rd, 2011
1:03 pm
@Struggling Teacher
April 3rd, 2011
7:25 am
Charter schools are helping the public schools to their total demise.
And this is bad???????
Dr. Craig Spinks/ Augusta
April 3rd, 2011
1:55 pm
Let us remember to give thanks to the concerned teachers, parents and administrators who every day help both our traditionally- and charter-enrolled public school students prepare for responsible futures.
APS westside parent
April 3rd, 2011
2:09 pm
Thank you Charter Starter for your perspective. I can tell that you have a passion for what you do.
Tony
April 3rd, 2011
2:21 pm
During a year when the General Assembly can’t even fund public education according to it’s own laws, it makes no sense to move money away from those very schools into the hands of pseudo-private schools.
B. Killebrew
April 3rd, 2011
2:24 pm
Right on, Tony.
Charter School = Semi-Private School
atlmom
April 3rd, 2011
2:54 pm
What’s the problem with a ‘pseudo private school’? We’ve already seen that the schools run by the government aren’t producing what we should want them to produce. and the ones that are working well are pretty much due to the parents’ involvement.
catlady
April 3rd, 2011
3:04 pm
Charterstarter: Please direct me toward good resources for folks wanting to start a charter school. I don’t think there will be any support from the local BOE–the school is a public school with 130+ years of service but is being shut down for budget reasons and the parents want to make a charter school there. Please give me some ideas of where to turn to help them!
atlmom
April 3rd, 2011
3:08 pm
catlady: talk to the people at the intown charter school (just started in midtown). it was started by a bunch of very dedicated parents and they really understand how to do it. They were turned down the first time, as apparently all of them are, and picked themselves up and got the charter the next year.
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
3:11 pm
@ APS Westside Parent: Thank you, I do.
@ Tony: I am trying to understand your perspective. How does it make sense for districts to earn funds for students they do not serve? The districts do retain SOME funding – they keep 3% for charter schools they authorize. For our school, that’s about $80,000 – quite a lot of money for providing oversight. I know that $80,000 for our school is about what our principal makes, who has a heck of a lot more work to do for that money. Districts also often negotiate services and keep the funding for those services. So please explain to me your rationale.
@ Killebrew: I am trying very hard to understand how you can perceive charters as “private.” Charter schools are funded with public tax dollars and are accountable to the public for efficient and appropriate use of these dollars. Like traditional public schools, they may also seek outside funding to supplement. APS gets bookoos of foundation funds, for example. Charters seek external funding to supplement a lean budget like traditional schools do. Charters must serve ANY STUDENT WHO WALKS THROUGH THEIR DOOR and may not discriminate on any basis that a traditional public school may not discriminate against. Charters may expel students. So may traditional districts. Charters must comply with federal law and many of the accountability and safety/health provisions traditional schools must abide. I do not understand what is private about anything the charters do. Can you please exlain your thoughts?
The real difference in charters and traditional schools is in the governance, organizational and academic innovation, and the fact that underpeforming charters, or those not fiscally responsible, MAY BE SHUTTERED. How in the world, as tax payers and parents, can we find flexibility for accountability, coupled with school choice a bad thing?
I generally find those that oppose charters to fit into one of the following categories:
1. Those who don’t understand them and/or are misinformed.
2. Those wanting to protect district dollars and/or maintain district control.
3. Those happy with their present schooling situation and not considering the broader need/desire for choice.
4. Those who feel threatened by other options that might challenge or require change of the status quo.
The only understandable group would be those who are uninformed – and I hope the charter sector or their own research will help them to better understand the big picture of chartering. As for the other 3 dissenting groups – we have a moral imperative to consider the greater good, and doing so requires diverse schooling options and equitable funding for all public school children.
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
3:17 pm
@ Catlady: I’d start in 2 places… First, have them go to the DOE website @ http://www.doe.k12.ga.us and navigate to the charter schools home page. They can find out a lot of information pertaining to charter school statutes, rules, guidance, and general information. Next, I’d send them to the charter schools association. They have a lot of resources to help new groups wanting to start a charter school. Finally, I’d have them do some research broadly about charter schools both in Georgia and nationally – have them find successful models that align with their educational philosophy. Visiting schools (not just charter, but successful public and private ones as well) is also beneficial. In visiting charter schools, ask to talk with some of the founders – the best lessons often come from those who have been there and done that. Hope this helps.
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
3:20 pm
@ Catlady: One more thing…sounds like this may end up being a conversion charter school. Check out requirements for forming one in the Charter Schools Act. This will require the school board to approve it….
ScienceTeacher671
April 3rd, 2011
3:37 pm
If charters are so successful because they don’t have to follow all the rules of “regular” public schools, maybe the rules established by the GaDOE and the General Assembly are the problem, not the “regular” public schools.
Just sayin’…
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
3:45 pm
@ ScienceTeacher 671: Look at the system charter schools and the districts who are using waivers from the laws/rules (either as a charter – or not). Are they showing tremendous gains in student achievement? The answer to that is an emphatic no. Don’t take my word for it though – go look it up for yourself – the achievement data is out there for you to see.
I’ve analyzed this data and the REAL difference in higher achievement is attained when full flexibilty is utilized wisely AND decisions are made locally by the stakeholders the decisions impact the most. As I mentioned in an earlier post – districts have always been able to waive requirements that constrain them. They just don’t utilize the flexiblity in the most meanignful way because they don’t truly change how they do business – either organizationally or academically, including giving up control over key decisions such as budget, hiring, and instruction.
B. Killebrew
April 3rd, 2011
3:49 pm
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2010/11/you_say_charter_–_i_say_semi-.html
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
3:59 pm
Really, Killebrew? You provide an editorial. First, the CREDO study has been widely criticized by both charter and non-charter proponents because the research methodology was flawed. Secondly, “effective” for charter schools is defined in the performance objectives to which they are held in their charter CONTRACT (approved by their authorizer AND the state). These performance outcomes HAVE to raise student achievement and HAVE to be fiscally responsible. Charters have been shut down when they haven’t performed, as they should be. You can call it semi-private if you want through the same tiresome and unsubsantiated diatribe, but the fact of the matter is that charters are held to a higher bar, and this is positively impacting kids and making good use of public dollars.
Good-bye Charter...
April 3rd, 2011
4:08 pm
I’m informed and I KNOW that Charter Schools want the independence, yet totally rely on the LEA when they want to dismiss a student and absolutely rely on the LEA for special education students. I am a parent from a Charter School that has to call the LEA representatives at least once a week. Every time I challenge them on an issue, the calls begin. They won’t meet with me without the LEA attorney and coordinator, but when I call the LEA the Charter employees constantly say, “We don’t answer to LEA (sic).” I have also noticed a pattern of them “placing” students out of the Charter Schools about 2-3 weeks prior to state testing, especially special education students. I will return to my traditional school next year because the LEA has to answer to everything the Charter School does anyway. Sue the Charter School, guess who pays? The LEA, yet the LEA has no control over who is hired, fired, nor the policies at the school. Best of both worlds, huh?
mathteacher_charterschool parent
April 3rd, 2011
4:09 pm
@atl_mom
You are exactly right about “and the ones that are working well are pretty much due to the parents’ involvement.” That is what makes schools work. I can teach my tail off on in class and give great lessons but if the students go home and do not practice Calculus, they will not learn it. They will not be able to apply it. My son went to private school for three years (elementary). Those teachers were not doing anything “spectacular”. The only difference was that the students did their homework and the parents reinforced what they did at school at home. At his private school the teacher did not have to worry about a parent not practicing reading decodables at home. All the parents were invested in education. At his charter school, the PTO meetings are packed. I would happily send my child to a public school with the same parental involvement. Without parental involvement, you can not expect schools to succeed.
On another note, all Charter schools are not successful and all of them are not created equal so be careful!
Public Educator
April 3rd, 2011
4:18 pm
Yes, Ivy Prep is a high performing school, which shows the “problem” with public education is not having a high percentage of minority students. However, Ivy Prep does have several advantages over public schools–one reason they were denied by Gwinnett County for the charter repeatedly is because they did not have provisions to provide for ESOL or Special Education students. That’s why Gwinnett County sued–charter schools that do not accept all types of students should not be given public money. If they pick and chose which students to accept they are a private school.
Tony
April 3rd, 2011
4:35 pm
@Charter Starter – Here’s the deal about the money. The state is withholding money from every district this year as it has for the last eight. This money is duly authorized by state law and to divert money from local school systems to charter schools amounts to robbing the kids in those public schools of appropriate funds. If the state was able to provide the funding as prescribed by QBE and pay the charters, then I’m all for it.
Second, the mechanism by which the state is directing funds to charters circumvents the local board of education for a portion of the funding. Sure, the state funding is fine to send to the schools because it is based on the number of kids in the charter. They earned it. But, that is not the only portion the charter school gets. They also get an estimated amount from the local BOE and it is withheld from the state funding. In simple terms, it amounts to taxation of a group of people by a board appointed by the governor rather than a group that is elected by the local citizens.
Third, yes, I work with a highly successful school in an area where all the public schools are successful. We have policies that allow for relatively easy transfers between schools within the district (AKA choice) and many families utilize that option. Funding charters elsewhere in the state without fully funding our schools is a problem. My students are being short-changed by the state in order to provide the charter options else where.
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
4:58 pm
@ Goodbye Charter: Let me inform you a little further. If a charter is authorized by their local district, then the district, as the LEA is, under law, responsible for FAPE; however, both the district AND the charter are responsible for serving the special needs students based on the IEP. All authorizers are not equal – some are heavily involved in SPED (like your district), but others have little to nothing to do with the charters and serving the SPED students. Commission schools, unlike their district approved charter counterparts, ARE the LEA, and thus retain all responsibility for FAPE.
I’m interested about what you’ve “noticed.” First, HOW would they place students outside of the charters before testing time? The parent would have to formally withdraw them – charters can’t “place” kids like that. Secondly, from a practical standpoint, how in the world would you know this was occurring? That sounds a bit farfetched to me. IF it’s happening, it shouldn’t be.
@ mathteacher_: You’re right, not all charters are equal. But they are all held accountable.
@ Public Educator: According to last year’s Report Card (DOE website), Ivy served 5% SPED and 10% ESOL (here’s the link: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=102&CountyId=783-0110&T=1&FY=2010). Looks like Gwinnett was wrong.
@ Tony: The charters have shared in the austerity reductions. I know my charter has suffered along with our district. Let’s take the institution out of it and hear your thoughts on the following:
1. We have students (FTE) and we have tax dollars collected. IF the funding mechanism is based on FTE, why shouldn’t the charters be funded from those FTE?
2. How rationally can you substantiate districts earning for students that don’t serve? What you are saying, in essence, is that traditional public school students should get better funding. Right?
3. Furthermore, you are saying that because the legislature has made education less of a priority and reduced the funding, the charter school students should pay for the loss incurred by the districts. Is this what you mean?
4. You didn’t respond when I told you the districts collect 3% for oversight of charters. So in essence, the charters are getting a double austerity cut and the districts are lessing theirs. Thoughts?
I think your beef is not really with the charters, but with the legislative priorities in the budget.
Pebo
April 3rd, 2011
5:06 pm
My wife is a teacher at a charter school and one of the problems that I see is that for charter to work it requires the leadership to have vision. I can tell you that in her situation Ray Charles has more vision than her leadership.
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
5:09 pm
@ Pebo – How right you are! For ANY school to work, it requires vision (especially charters). Made me laugh, my friend!
MotherInDuluth
April 3rd, 2011
5:23 pm
I understand the concern that Charter Schools, to receive public funding, may be required to provide ESOL and special education services. However, GCPS sets the example with their own charter. But they protest it is to protect the children from the unnecessary stress of not being able to meet the rigors of the school. Common sense and experience tells me that sometimes this is true and sometimes it is used to discriminate. It seems very likely that a severely autistic student might be brilliant in math and have the academic ability to thrive at GMST, but may require some special services/modifications which might actually benefit all the students. Same with ESOL, dyslexia . . . I would never enroll my child in a school where there is no hope for success, and I think most parents feel the same way. This is where parent support and accountability comes in as the most important part of any school whether private, charter, public, or homeschooled. My brother was physically handicapped with rather severe speech problems. He attended public school as the only “handicapped” student at our high school. Academically, he thrived and was very popular with the teachers and students. He died suddenly in his sleep, but we all learned much from his example.
Below is a link to the GMST case against GCPS . . .
http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/violations-of-federal-law-837247.html
No Commission Needed
April 3rd, 2011
5:33 pm
Charter schools have a place in the education debate but forced commission schools have no place. In Southwest Georgia we have a commission school that is nothing but a tax payer funded private school. We do not need as tax payers another school system to pay for and please do not tell me it is for the children.
B. Killebrew
April 3rd, 2011
6:16 pm
@Charter Starter, Too…
Whatever say…and whatever you need to make yourself feel better.
<>
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
6:18 pm
@ Killebrew: Best you can come up with, huh?
Struggling Teacher
April 3rd, 2011
6:21 pm
A charter school is a semi-private school. It can choose its students without charging a real tuition. They can make and set and implement and use their own rules or simply change the rules as they go. When they identify “undesireable” students, they oust them from the charter school and boost the undesireables right back into the public school where the rules are all together different. Instead of spending all that time and money on idealist plans for education, why not spend that money on correcting the public school where everyone is accepted? That is how the public school is being ruined by the charter school. Just as the Bible teaches that the poor will always be among us, the less-than-perfect child will always be among the public school population. Spend the education money wisely instead of just throwing it “at” the problems. Our democracy needs public education.
Unfunded pension
April 3rd, 2011
6:39 pm
Public schools are failing…perhaps they have already failed. Some would agree that there are problems but fight tooth and nail to prevent any real solution. It’s past time to let the experiments bloom before the taxpayers cut the funding so much that nothing can be done.
atlmom
April 3rd, 2011
7:02 pm
@struggling teacher: NO THEY DO NOT GET TO PICK THE STUDENTS. the students enroll, and if too many enroll for the spots available there is a lottery. There is no picking and choosing students. Except, I suppose, for the physical location of the school.
As for the ‘parents’ being the only indicator, that is crazy talk.
My parents chose the schools we went to because 98% of the kids who graduate from the high school go on to college. They wanted us to go to college (neither of them had a degree). Parents weren’t really involved in the school. Not as much as they are in my kids’ school. Parents helped out, I guess, but the school did not (and I suspect still does not) rely on the parents for support. My parents never helped me with my homework. It was my thing to do – and they expected me to do it. But they never – not once – helped me actually do it. they never knew when I had a paper due, or had a test or a quiz or whatever. They saw my report card once a quarter. that was all. So, um, yes, parents have a lot to do with expectations setting for their kids, but they don’t have to be involved in the school for education to work. Of course,pretty much all the kids who came to the school were well fed and well taken care of…
B. Killebrew
April 3rd, 2011
7:28 pm
Um, Charter Starter, Too…
Your aggressiveness, rabid-nature, and paranoia speak volumes. I’m not going to waste key strokes, finger-energy, and my time searching/posting in order to prove something to you–someone I don’t even know.
I’m not stepping into your entitled/elitist twilight zone. But I will call you out for what you are.
Carry on, now…
Legend of Len Barker
April 3rd, 2011
7:46 pm
Come to south Georgia. Come to my overly redneck county. We have a whole bunch of parents and children who don’t give a turkey’s tailfeathers about academic success.
Your charter school can’t fix that. You can suck away the children whose parents care about their success and skew the numbers, but if you had to deal with the ones who didn’t … well, you’d probably be in the same boat we’re currently in. Perhaps worse as at least we have experience in trying to boost our graduation rate to a nearly-acceptable 75%.
Against Charters
April 3rd, 2011
7:47 pm
@ Struggling teacher,
Amen!
CharterStarter, Too
April 3rd, 2011
7:53 pm
@ Killebrew: This is a chat forum. It’s intended for intelligent debate and discussion. I pushed you to respond with some factual information to substantiate your position. When you have to resort to childish stone throwing and name calling, in lieu of well-reasoned and well supported responses as a basis for your opinion, either you are not an independent thinker or you have a very weak argument, or possibly both.
I’ll carry on, now…with folks who can hold their own in a debate. Good day.
Springdale Park Elementary Parent
April 3rd, 2011
8:09 pm
@CharterStarter: So glad to see someone else come on here and refute the silly drivel that passes for commentary here from people like B. Killebrew, but I’ll go you one further: I believe charter schools will be the salvation of public schools, not the cause of their extinction.
Here’s why:
I’ll start with a prediction: charter schools will continue to gain traction as more and more parents who care will use this tool to say goodbye to our horrible public schools. (It doesn’t matter how the GA Supremes rule on the current law; if they void the commission’s authority, the legislature will quickly restore it– and then some). That’s the way the wind is blowing.
This will eventually cause much more intense competition for scarce resources (some of you are arguing that’s already well underway). As in nature, competitors for scarce resources must either adapt or perish.
In the face of much stronger competition, public schools will either have to improve radically and rapidly or become warehouses for children unlucky enough to be born to the wrong parents. (Not poor parents, but BAD parents. Let me be clear about that. Even poor parents can raise good students–it happens all the time).
I don’t believe politicians and community leaders will allow the latter scenario (the survival of just a sorry few public schools to be warehouses for thugs-in-training) to happen. But they won’t act until their backs are against the wall, because the decisions they’ll have to make will be very politically unpopular (such as requiring parents to be held accountable for their childrens’ academic effort AND behavior in school, and creating a mechanism to immediately remove disruptive students from school).
So let’s force the politician’s hand–let’s back them up against the wall, and let’s make them take dramatic, rather than incremental and ineffective, action.
A surge in the adoption of charters will accomplish that.
Don’t underestimate the number of parents who agree that public school systems have been given many chances, and plenty of money. We don’t want to hear any more BS about how you need more money or more chances. We’re going to force change, and you will adapt — or perish. If you perish, a new system will fill the vacuum, and we will be none the poorer for having lost you.
Nikole
April 3rd, 2011
8:34 pm
@ Springdale Park—Basically we will have a two-tier education system. Kids w/ caring and educated parents get to go to good schools and as a public school teacher, I will just babysit the kids of those that do not care. Charter schools have their place, but public schools should be afforded the same freedoms in order to make them work well for students too.