Charter school bill stalls in Senate, but is still percolating
Regular folks who meet with their legislators over the charter school amendment get a Starbucks gift card. (Starbucks photo.)
No bill this legislative session will be discussed as much as the charter school amendment, which was the subject of a fiery two-hour debate today in the state Senate.
A vote was never held, probably over concerns that there was not a guarantee of the two-thirds support needed to approve a public referendum on a constitutional amendment to empower the state to authorize charter schools. The Senate vote will occur when GOP leaders in the Senate are assured they have corralled the needed yeses. (The amendment already passed the House after hours of debate, a defeat one week and then a resurrection the next.)
A small example of how important this issue has become is the incentive of a Starbucks gift card to people who lobby their legislator about school choice. The offer is being made by the pro school choice Center for an Educated Georgia.
According to the center website: Take part in the Center for an Educated Georgia’s Coffee Challenge by meeting with your legislator to tell your school choice story. Tell us about your meeting, you will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card and be entered to win a $100 gift card!
Here is the AJC account of today’s charter school debate and the tabling of the vote:
Wednesday’s action shows the bill faces an uncertain fate in the Senate after having won two-thirds support in the House.Delaying the vote does not mean it won’t be passed during this session. But two-thirds of senators would have to support it for it to pass, something that is out of reach for the moment.
Republicans hold a majority in the 56-member Senate, but they would need to get the support of all 36 Republican members and at least two Democrats.
But Democrats on Wednesday showed no willingness to drop their opposition to the legislation, which Republicans have pushed in response the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision last May which determined the state could not force local school districts to pay for charter schools they did not authorize.
The Georgia Charter Schools Commission had approved the applications of charter school backers who had failed to get the support of their local school districts. The commission’s approval allowed the charter schools to get local funding even if the local school board had rejected the charter school application.
Separate legislation spelling out how those schools would be funded makes clear that local districts would not have to pay for charter schools they did not approve. The state would fund the schools it approves.
Democrats, however, attacked the charter schools legislation on multiple fronts, arguing that the state has struggled to fund traditional public schools and would struggle even more if charter schools got more local funding. And Democrats attempted to turn what is usually a Republican mantra– local control is best — against them, arguing that having the state authorize charter schools instead of local districts was a violation of that principle.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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81 comments Add your comment
Teacher 4 ever
February 29th, 2012
11:12 pm
This legislature is doing nothing but taking away the rights of Georgia citizens. There is nothing being done to remedy the transportation, infrastructure or employment issues in this state. All we are getting is big brother government reigning down on us like we are children. Please vote these corrupt politicians out of office.
Atlanta Mom
February 29th, 2012
11:13 pm
NO VOTE
WOO HOO
Melanie
February 29th, 2012
11:21 pm
Local control continues at least for now. I guess I will continue to pay my taxes!
Mary Elizabeth
March 1st, 2012
12:03 am
“Democrats, however, attacked the charter schools legislation on multiple fronts, arguing that the state has struggled to fund traditional public schools and would struggle even more if charter schools got more local funding.”
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Hold together and hold firm, Democrats. This bill is about more than meets the eye. I believe that the future of public education is at stake here. “We hold these truths to be self-evident . . .that all are created equal,” wrote Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and public school proponent. We must improve our traditional public schools, not desert them.
CharterStarter, Too
March 1st, 2012
12:26 am
@ Mary Elizabeth – Jefferson was also a slave holder… Which I find amazingly ironic in that children in failing schools with stone walling school districts are without rights to a strong public education that paves the road to a quality life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I think if he lived in our day, he might be a teensy bit conflicted. Just saying…
Like I said before...
March 1st, 2012
12:39 am
@CharterStarted…He was a slave holder and Sally Hemings could attest to how tight he held on to her. We give the founding father’s too much credit for their “brilliance.” I am willing to bet a majority were of Newt’s ilk. But I digress.
There is no money for traditional schools therefore there is no money for charters. Plus, no one has answered how is it that David Morgan can sit on the CCSB and vote on this when his wife is pushing coffee and comments for the charter schools? He says there is no conflict of interest.
Fred ™
March 1st, 2012
1:11 am
Hey but look on the bright side. A bill to post the ten commandments EVERYWHERE as well as some bill which will force mothers to deliver dead children have SAILED through the legislature. Go Georgia……….
Mary Elizabeth
March 1st, 2012
1:13 am
Grace allows us to recognize that we all have personal failings and that we all “come short of the glory of God.” That is why we must try to refrain from judging others. Whatever Jefferson’s private failings were, his vision for this nation has stood the test of time and we should remain humbled by his personal sacrifices for our nation, and by the personal sacrifices of our other Founding Fathers for our exceptional nation’s continuing existence. They were extraordinary men in that they held a common vision and that vision was that this nation would forever be “of, by and for” the people, themselves, as was so eloquently stated by Abraham Lincoln. This nation was never meant to be
“of, by, and for” the billionaire moguls of industry and those that serve their self-interests.
Below is a video for readers to watch, regarding the billionaire Koch Brothers’ impact on public schools in Wake County, North Carolina. Please do not be “put off” by the dramatic music. Instead listen for the information and the facts dispersed. Please listen all the way to the end of the video. One line that grabbed my attention was, “Democracy for sale.” “Not so,” believed Thomas Jefferson, and that was one reason Jefferson supported the education of the populace through public schools – to ensure that our democratic republic would remain strong against the influences of the wealthy elite, with their own agendas and their own self-interests, to fulfill. (Google “ALEC.”) We must hold steady in continuing to support and to improve our traditional public schools, and we must continue to fund them with public taxes. We must not desert them.
Hold together, and hold firm, Senate Democrats. Thank you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Ak3tZ_hw0
Fred ™
March 1st, 2012
1:19 am
Good luck with all that Mary Elizabeth……..
Fred ™
March 1st, 2012
1:21 am
Oh and ME? I’ve seen enough of the Koch brothers and their wicked ways that i’m not wasting time watching a video about them Sorry. They are scum.
Fred ™
March 1st, 2012
1:22 am
LOL I’ve become “moderation” material. The AJC doesn’t want truth in their blogs, they want political correctness…………
pleasebeserious
March 1st, 2012
7:03 am
Mary Elizabeth…I assume you must be a teacher. It amazes me that you are such a strong supporter of the public schools in Georgia. Please do your research on how Florida overcame their education problem. Please give us specifics on why you believe the public schools in Georgia to be so stellar.
pleasebeserious
March 1st, 2012
7:04 am
Enter your comments here
teacher&mom
March 1st, 2012
7:08 am
@pleasebeserious…can you post research and specifics about why you believe Florida “overcame their education problem?”
Have you read about the latest charter school scandal in Florida?
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1215
CharterStarter, Too
March 1st, 2012
8:17 am
@ Mary Elizabeth- I admit they had great vision, but it was also narrow in vision. Mr. Jefferson believed in “inalienable rights”…except for blacks. It was almost 100 years before slavery was abolished so that all could enjoy these rights. We are doing h
The same thing now…looking at things very narrowly, and our children are on the short end of the stick.
I agree, we are supposed to be of, for, and by the people…not of, for, and by the billionaires…OR the school districts. Unfortunately, education is a money making enterprise – people profit off of it every day. If you don’t think textbook companies don’t make millions off schools, computer corporations, software companies, and local builders and developers don’t you are sadly misguided. I don’t know about Kock – frankly never heard of them before you enlightened us. But I can assure you that the sun total of all of the products and services benefitting from the public school system as a whole is even more substantial. I think your argument is rather weak, substantially based on conjecture and broad generalizations, as the vast majority of charters don’t use management companies. It is hard to believe folks are willing to invest the time and money to open a school, but it has happened time and again in our state and across the nation.
I can understand the argument about concern for funding. The state has cut education funding – mind you, how boards elect to deal with those cuts are their own decisions. Go do a search on superintendent salaries…not that these folks should not earn a decent wage for the level of responsibility, but some are over a quarter of a million dollars…in failing districts…or small districts. How many furlough days could districts save by aligning these salaries with industry average? How much is spent out of districts’ general fund every month on non priority expenditures? Take the time to sit in some district board meetings or review minutes. The cuts har been steep, but wise choices aren’t being made with resources. If charters can be approved by a state entity, they should be few…unless there is rampant unfairness in authorizing. In the size of the budget of this state, even with a cut to it, financing a few schools here an there where a district acted injuduciously is inconsequential.
Think, people! Reason this out. It’s like frowning…takes more muscles than to smile. It’s hard to argue against logic…failing schools, money ill invested in them, community demand for choice, a failing economy tied to an unprepared workforce, pain in higher ed due to unprepared students who end up dripping out, higher social costs or drop outs and those who are unskikked and uncompetitive in the workplace, persistent generational poverty, charters are outperforming districts where they serve. It’s a no brainer – UNLESS you are 1. Illogical. 2. Have a personal interest in the status quo and protecting it. 3. Don’t care.
CharterStarter, Too
March 1st, 2012
8:21 am
Pardon all the typos – on an iPhone and I failed to proof carefully before submitting.
South Georgia
March 1st, 2012
8:34 am
The charter school fiasco is the latest boondoggle created by those who understand nothing about public education. The legislature, the present governor, and past governor have ignored state education law and cut QBE funding for the past 10 years. Pre-K through 12 public schools are now struggling to survive as the state fails to fund basic programs and local taxpayers oppose local tax increases. The damage continues to mount and a generation of children will suffer irreparable harm. Our children will look back and point to this time when they were shortchanged by a bunch of politiicans who cared nothing about Georgia and its citizens.
Me
March 1st, 2012
8:35 am
Maureen – what do you know about the proposal to not pay the Charter Systems the money that the State contracted to pay them as part of the process to become Charter systems?
I believe it is HB 651, sponsored by Rep. Howard Maxwell (R-Dallas).
Can our legislators never honor any contract they make with our schools?
Ed Advocate
March 1st, 2012
8:50 am
@ Mary Elizabeth: I have really appreciated the thoughtful and detailed commentary you’ve brought to this blog during the 1162 debate. I agree with your comments today and on recent threads regarding what entities are funding the charter movement in Georgia. This movement is being billed by 1162 proponents as being a grassroots movement fueled by frustrated parents and educators. I do not think their claims are accurate and think the funding behind the movement tells more of the story. Mary Elizabeth mentioned that the Koch brothers and other billionaire philanthropists are skewing the debate by injecting enormous financial resources into free-market based education reform efforts. On its own website, the GA Charter School Association reports that two thirds of its funding comes from foundation giving, and that its biggest donor is the non-GA based Walton Family Foundation (Wal-Mart founders). The foundation espouses “reforms” like school vouchers. About the Walton grants from the Charter School Association’s website: The leading funder from outside Georgia is the Walton Family Foundation (WFF), which committed a three-year total grant of $1,000,000 along with $185,000 to create the Georgia Parental Advocacy Network, $600,000 for the Legal Advocacy Fund, and $50,000 for developing the 2010-2013 strategic plan.
Ed Advocate
March 1st, 2012
9:01 am
@ Me: Yes, I’d also like to see Maureen or other reporters dig into the story behind HB 651. My understanding is that the bill would repeal a law that grants charter school systems (like Decatur City) a funding supplement. Some of the very same legislators pushing 1162 and funding for state charter schools have identified re-routed charter system funds as a source of funding for state charter schools. It’s very disingenuous of legislators and lobbying groups like the GA Chamber and the Charter School Association espousing the charter concept not to defend the charter system funding.
Maureen Downey
March 1st, 2012
9:04 am
@Me and Ed Advocate, I sent your notes to the education editor Angela Tuck. There are several ed funding bills that we need to look out to see what they do and why.
Maureen
Ed Advocate
March 1st, 2012
9:11 am
Thank you Maureen!
Mary Elizabeth
March 1st, 2012
9:16 am
“What we need is not a marketplace, but a coherent curriculum that prepares all students. And our government should commit to providing a good school in every neighborhood in the nation, just as we strive to provide a good fire company in every community.
On our present course, we are disrupting communities, dumbing down our schools, giving students false reports of their progress, and creating a private sector that will undermine public education without improving it. Most significantly, we are not producing a generation of students who are more knowledgable, and better prepared for the responsibilities of citizenship. That is why I changed my mind about the current direction of school reform.”
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The words above are from Diane Ravitch, who received a doctorate in education from Columbia University in 1975 and who is the recent author of “The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education.” Please see the link below for her full op-ed in the Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704869304575109443305343962.html
==============================================
NOTE to “Charter Starter, Too,” who posted at 8:17 am that “Mr. Jefferson believed in ‘inalienable rights’…except for blacks. . .”
You are incorrect. Thomas Jefferson regretted the condition of slavery with its inherent inequality and he recognized that slavery was inconsistent with American tenets of equality for all. Jefferson stated that, in the evolution of history, slavery would be dissolved, which he desired (and it was.)
Also, I hope that you will become more informed about the Koch Brothers and about ALEC. The charter movement, school voucher movement, and the school choice movement, in general, are products of their Libertarian ideology which has been stealthily effecting rightwing policies in our nation for decades. The Bush family (including the latest educational impetus of Jeb Bush in Florida) has had decades of interest in privatizing American institutions for corporate, private advantages, including education. (Remember George W. Bush’s interest in privatizing Social Security which was not successful.) Corporate investment in charter schools, as I have previously pointed out, is not a static, but a growing, phenomena, and that phenomena will continue to grow if traditional public schools are allowed to be further dismantled. We must improve, not dismantle, traditional public schools. That means we must fund them instead of cutting funding to them, as has been the case in Georgia within the past decade.
Mary Elizabeth
March 1st, 2012
9:42 am
@Ed Advocate, 8:50 am
Thank you for your kind remarks, and for your commitment to fostering that truth emerges regarding the powerful forces, outside of Georgia, behind the school choice movement in Georgia.
Please read the following link, in full, which shows the interest in the Walton Family Foundation “to eradicate public schools.” From that link: “The Walton Family Foundation was a ‘Chairman’ level sponsor of 2011 American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Annual Conference, which in 2010, equated to $50,000.”
See the link, below, which itemizes the Walton Family Foundation’s financial support of certain educational pursuits. Within this link, notice that the Walton Family Foundation donated a grant of $1,383,584.50 to the Florida School Choice Fund in 2003.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Walton_Family_Foundation
Mary Elizabeth
March 1st, 2012
9:57 am
@Fred, 1:19 am
“Good luck with all that Mary Elizabeth……..”
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Thank you for your encouraging words, Fred. My best regards to you and yours.
Goodforkids
March 1st, 2012
10:03 am
@charter starter, too
There may not be a great number of educational management companies running charter schools in GA yet , but the point is they want to be here or anywhere where a profit can be made and this bill will pave their way. A current higher up who i believe is chair of our state’s charter commission (can’t remember his name and no time to look up today but I think it is Louis Erste) was most recently a CFO for Mosaica before he took our govt job. Mosaica has not always served their customers well but they write their contracts so they make a buck regardless of if the restrooms aren’t cleaned and the building smells of urine. But go ahead, open the door and let ‘em in…you can be sure EMO’s given much freedom to make their profits WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR KIDS.
And would be laughable if it weren’t so scary to think of a state-appointed commission overseeing these groups…welcome to the wild west of education. Hold onto your hats!
Goodforkids
March 1st, 2012
10:04 am
Meant to say “it would e laughable…”
Ron F.
March 1st, 2012
10:10 am
As I have asked many times, how is any edcational “innovation” going to change the kids we must teach? Will we just throw all the kids with discipline issues or learning disabilities off to the side and educate the “good” kids? Please see how illogical this plan, and many others, really are. This is just an attempt to separate out the kids who can or will do from the ones who can’t or won’t. In the long run, that’s really not going to help us improve the quality of education.
As many have posted, funding charters isn’t going to be any easier than funding the current public schools. And trust me, those involved with teaching, managing, and administrating the charters are just as concerned with money as we are in the public school system. When you look at the charter school movement nationwide, you see how the plan to privatize education is taking place. Regardless of how you feel about any of this, you have to see the funding issue. Money will only be available to fund the state charter schools when they take money from sowewhere else. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how that can be accomplished, and it worries me. This isn’t about local control or parent influence. It’s about the fact that 50% of the state budget goes to education and a lot of money sharks smell it and want a piece of it.
Mary Elizabeth
March 1st, 2012
10:24 am
@Ron F, 10:10
“Money will only be available to fund the state charter schools when they take money from somewhere else. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how that can be accomplished, and it worries me. This isn’t about local control or parent influence. It’s about the fact that 50% of the state budget goes to education and a lot of money sharks smell it and want a piece of it.”
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Thank you for stating this so succinctly and so well, Ron F.
SoGAVet
March 1st, 2012
10:51 am
I would wholeheartedly support charter schools in GA IF the DOE were truly using them as an incubator for what-might-work in education in Georgia.
By definition, a charter school is asking the state for relief from certain provisions of state law or policy, under which schools in Georgia must operate. The obvious question is, ‘From what provisions are you seeking relief?’ and ‘What specific hypothesis on education are you exploring?’
In that context, the state could approach the charter variances like a real experiment. Change certain variables and then determine whether the outcome is useful. In this way, we could use charters to research and improve education in Georgia; in an informed and well-researched AND DOCUMENTED manner.
If it’s useful, then why not apply that outcome to the entire state? Why should you need relief from provisions that don’t work, or permission to implement provisions that do? Make that a part of education policy!
But if all you’re doing is trying to get larger class sizes, pay teachers less and/or without due-process considerations, then it is wrong, wrong, wrong.
Just because you’re offering less money for education, doesn’t mean it takes less money to run it.
Ed
March 1st, 2012
10:58 am
Our elected officials should let the people of Georgia vote on the issue. If people are for it or against it, then they should have the freedom to vote.
For public schools
March 1st, 2012
11:02 am
This is directed at the comment by “CharterStarter, Too” that discusses “industry-standard salaries” for superintendents. I note that you did not mention “industry standard” for teachers in there. IF teachers were actually paid “industry standard” for their credentials, additional training, additional degrees that are paid for out of pocket – whereas most industries have some type of incentive for their employees to achieve advanced degrees and training (including paying for 80% or more of the tuition and fees) – teachers would be making WELL MORE than what they do! This caused me to smile QUITE a bit. I have a friend who is a teacher, with more credentials and more experience than someone who works in an industry-related field in the same area. This teacher makes HALF the salary of the industry person. HALF. Oh – and don’t give us the argument that teachers are paid for summer break – they are not. They are employees for the number of school days (180) + the number of planning days that they work. *Some* holidays are paid time off – same as industry – but they don’t get to pick and choose. So, those holiday breaks that children have – NOT “paid time off” – one day (i.e. Thanksgiving) is paid – the others are not. Even if the aforementioned friends of mine were equated for their salaries and put on the same number of days worked, my industry friend still makes more $$. So – please don’t throw around “industry-standard” unless you include teachers in there….
2Concerned Mommy
March 1st, 2012
11:18 am
And what about Special Education? Anyone? The children with IEPs have not even been given a thought during this whole debaucle. My recent experience with the charter was such that I had to pull my child out after a short time. I am not comfortable going into detail since I have since been contacted by parents/pushers of the charter with nasty comments. Many, I am sure, are on this blog since the verbage used is identical to the BS I have heard before. But needless to say, my child, was severely neglected. I have also taken my concerns to the state level.
Charterstarter, Too
March 1st, 2012
11:29 am
@ South Georgia,
The opposing side continues to use 2 key arguments for why we have failing schools:
1. Budget cuts
2. Lack of parental support
Please help me find the real logic in these arguments by answering these questions:
1. Why are the districts with the highest per pupil funding are performing the lowest in Georgia?
2. Why was the achievement in Georgia not HIGHER BEFORE austerity cuts kicked in 8-10 years ago?
3. How are states with LOWER per pupil revenue performing higher than some of our districts that receive more funding?
4. Charters, that are earning about .74 on the dollar compared to their traditional school counterparts are outperforming the districts where they serve (i.e., APS charters are outperforming APS, with similar demographics). How does this happen?
5. Does our state have the third highest percentage of low SES districts and uninvolved parents, and that’s why we are #48 in the nation?
My belief is that funding does matter somewhat, particularly if it isn’t funneled down to the classrooms due to poor prioritizing, but other things matter MUCH, MUCH more, and the research supports this:
1. Efficacy of the teacher in the classroom
2. Teacher morale, autonomy and time to teach, support and management from administration
3. Quality of leadership
4. Frequent monitoring of student data
5. Engagement of ALL stakeholders in the schooling process
6. Overall school culture, which includes a culture of high expectations academically and behaviorally
I believe parental engagement is important, but it’s not the only thing that impacts student outcomes. On a personal note, I come from a very low SES background (qualified for FRL my whole life) with an uneducated single mother, it IS possible to overcome these factors with good schooling. I believe that kids who are poor do come to school unprepared to learn sometimes. But….when I look at the KIPP schools, they don’t depend on high parental involvement, and they serve the highst populations of low SES students and are blowing the top off of academic achievement in communites where they serve. We have the 90-90-90 schools, many of them traditional public schools in other parts of the country, who are succeeding despite these factors.
We have an ingrained problem with making excuses and blaming society and ignoring solutions that are within our locus of control. We MUST serve these kids better. I think traditional schools CAN do it if they have the WILL to do it. So far, the district offices have been unwilling to give up control and push it down to the school level and reprioritize their spending and focus on improving school culture for their instructional staff and students. I also believes charters can do it and ARE doing it. And I think they can help the traditional schools get there IF the districts would let them.
Change is hard, no doubt, but it is necessary to progress.
Krissy
March 1st, 2012
12:15 pm
The money should follow the child and we should have schools of all types on every street corner. It should be up to me as the parent to decide which school best meets the need for my child. If the public school system works for you, than by all means turn the money over to the public school system. For this to happen one must understand that not every child learns in the same capacity. However, the majority of the people are to stupid to understand this. They think we can put thirty kids in a class and all is good. All will pass with flying colors. All is peachy. This is not reality. We can pull out the smart kids for an hour and the special ed kids for an hour and all is good. This is not reality. Have you noticed that the parents for school choice are those parents who have children that are gifted or who struggle. Thats because we know that this system is not working.
I pulled my son out of his wonderful public school in January. Now at a virtual charter. Go ahead scream at me for keeping funding away from your child. I guess your child is more important than mine. Who gave you the right to decide that my child is not worhy of a decent education and demand that he stays in an environment that simply does not meet his needs? Where is the right of my child?
Yes I know. I have private school options for dyslexia. But wait. Tuituion cost 20,000 plus. Why should I have to pay such a high tuition because my child is not average and need to be taught in a different way. Why should my child have to suffer because the school refuses to provide a special ed techer who specializes in dyslexia. Open up your eyes and realize that charter schools do not have to be your enemy. They could be your friend. We can have public charters for children with autism. How about charters with children who are ADHD. Charters for children who are dyslexic. Charters for the gifted children. We alredy have a charter for the gifted math and science in high school. We already have technical schools. However, these schools are not an option at the elementary and middle school level. Until you have walked in my shoes and go through what I go through with my son, do not yell at me for taking your money from your public school. I have spent thousands of dollars on tutors. My child deserves every right to a good education as does yours.
This is why the money should follow the best need of the child. This does not mean a bad reflection on the public school system, it just means that the system does not always work for a child. There should be a plan B, when plan A does not work. Plan A is the public school system and plan B can be the charters. Please do not keep my child from plan B. He has every right to a decent education as every other child. I believe Jefferson would be in favor of all types of education. He would reason that what works for one might not work for all.
HS Public Teacher
March 1st, 2012
12:39 pm
I am still confused about some issues surrounding charter schools. Sorry if this is a long post….
Everyone continues to stress that Charter schools are public schools. Charter schools have to admit anyone that applies. Charter schools cannot expel a student any more than a regular public school. Charter school children still have to pass the CRCT, the EOCT, and whatever other standards the State has. And, everything else. Right? Am I missing something?
If all of that is true, then why have a separate entity called “Charter” schools at all? Why create extra laws for it? If they are EXACTLY the same, then why do all of this extra stuff? Won’t someone please explain this to me? I am very sincere in my question.
It seems that the only difference that I can tell is that a charter school allows for a private corporation to swoop in to proclaim “charter status” and take pubic tax dollars in order to make a profit.
Reinvent_ED
March 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
Will Georgia continue to lack the courage to lead the nation in education reform? Hopefully the state senators do the right thing and support this amendment.
HS Public Teacher
March 1st, 2012
1:03 pm
@Reinvent_ED
Please please answer my question from my last post. If this is “education reform” as you put it, HOW is it different?
Mary Elizabeth
March 1st, 2012
1:32 pm
Krissy, 12:15 pm
“Plan A is the public school system and plan B can be the charters. Please do not keep my child from plan B. He has every right to a decent education as every other child. I believe Jefferson would be in favor of all types of education. He would reason that what works for one might not work for all.”
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You make some compelling arguments for individualizing to instructional need every student. I, too, believe each student’s needs should be served in education; however, I think we need to be very wary of seeing that answer – or plan B, as you say – through charter schools. Those individualized needs can be accommodated through specialized schools paid for by traditional public education. In fact, as I recall from my years as an active teacher, magnet schools served for that purpose, and there were also specialized public schools for students with learning disabilities.
In my readings of Thomas Jefferson, I do not believe that he would ever have wanted to see schools created that eventually served a profit motive. As a public servant, he – unlike other politicians of his day – refused to benefit financially from his public service. Moreover, he wrote that he supported public schools so that the nation would not be controlled or ruled by a small number of the powerful and wealthy. Our nation is evolving into that, however. Notice who are supporters of charter schools as has been discussed on this blog – the Walmart Family Foundation which donated over one million dollars to charter schools in Florida, and the Koch Brothers, who are part of that wealthy, controlling class within our nation. Jefferson would not have been pleased with this overall movement.
The problem with charter schools is that they can evolve into profit-making schools over time, especially if that is the vision of their top wealthy, politically powerful supporters. Be wary.
3schoolkids
March 1st, 2012
2:10 pm
How is this “leading the nation in education reform?” How about Charter reform? I would like to see Charter student assessments compared only to their true peers in the local neighborhood public school. How about requiring Charters remove assessment data for students (former private, homeschool or other charter) who did not directly enroll from the local public school. Then we’ll have a better idea of which schools are truly “innovative.” This will force Charters to be more competitive for students and thus force change right? I would also like to see per pupil expense reporting to include grant money received (that would be for Charters and Public schools). Enough of the apples to oranges comparisons. Not saying all Charters are good or bad, but I don’t agree with expansion without some accurate information about which ones are working and why.
Ed Advocate
March 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
Oh Maureen, I just got the joke. Starbucks gift cards. Percolating. V funny!
SoGAVet
March 1st, 2012
3:50 pm
HS Public Teacher
March 1st, 2012
12:39 pm
See my post: 10:51
SoGAVet
March 1st, 2012
3:56 pm
Krissy
March 1st, 2012
12:15 pm
Who would yell at you for this, federal law already mandates that if you can medically document your child’s condition, the public school MUST provide accomodations.
And yes, I fully understand there is lots of push-back regarding the letter of the law in terms of actually meeting those accomodations. But specialty schools such as you suggest are only possible in high-population areas and even then the mechanics of such specialization is difficult to implement.
MAY
March 1st, 2012
3:56 pm
I love reading over and over about the ‘profit motive’. Textbook companies, staffing agencies, technology companies, architects, builders, food distribution, and countless others make a profit off our public schools. Geez. If a charter finds a management company who will find their janitors, cut their paychecks, file their taxes, purchase their paper and pencils, who cares? Charter schools still submit an annual audit to the state. I’m so tired of the “I’ve been a teacher for 20+ years”, “I’ve been in public education for 35 years”. You had time to do something and you didn’t.
Yesterday, I heard democrats say over and over that public education has lost 25% of its funding over the last 8-10 years. Well gosh, did we drop from 48 to 50? Something tells me we’ve overpaid because the results didn’t change.
It’s very frustrating to hear we should continue doing everything the same way.
Ed Johnson
March 1st, 2012
4:33 pm
Be not put off by the book’s title or by “bell curve” controversy around the book’s author, but perhaps now is a good time to glean insight from Charles Murray’s recent book, ”Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010.”
“This book is about an evolution in American society that has taken place since November 21, 1963, leading to the formation of classes that are different in kind and in their degree of separation from anything that the nation has ever known. I will argue that the divergence into these separate classes, if it continues, will end what has made America America.” –Charles Murray
Funny how there seems to be something of an elemental drive that’s constantly stirring up varying social dynamics. And because it is elemental, the drive seems to be begging us to see that, in order to solve seemingly intractable problems, we must first understand that all causes and all effects are not at all close in time and space.
Yet, the solutions we keep coming up with imply that, indeed, we most certainly do believe all causes and all effects are close in time and space, very close, extremely close, in fact. But this belief just keeps leading us to seek solace in the “blame game,” a game that demands fingering somebody or something, right here (present space) and right now (present time)!
Of course the blame game always is a win-lose proposition so always stimulates some manner of “coming part.” We also tend to be dismissive of comings apart in the aggregate, and will continue to do so until the aggregate becomes overwhelming, as happened with Beverly Hall as APS superintendent and is now happening with our legislators as Gerogia’s lawmakers.
HR 1162, not to mention Obama’s RTTT competition, is a fine example of a win-lose proposition that stimulates a “coming apart.” Still, certain people just keep on believing they can “win” with charter schools, so they just keep on making the CHOICE to not see that they and their children are being set up to “lose.”
Big Bill
March 1st, 2012
5:40 pm
Of course the “Center for An Educated Georgia” is offering a $10.00 Starbucks gift card and the chance to win a $100.00 gift card. All the recipients have to do is agree to lobby their Georgia state legislators to endorse “school choice” by telling “their school choice story.” Why is “the Center” doing this? Because “the Center” is a phony, made-up right-wing Republican “stealth” front organization which was created and funded to do just that. This ersatz education group with the innocuous name is just one prong of many to promote a loathsome Republican “education reform” agenda, antithetical to the well being of our public schools and nation. Why? Because promoting “school choice” is one of the tools being used to promote what is really their ultimate goal: to bring to an end the public financing of schools, to privatize them, and to return to the bad old days of racial and economic segregation of school students. Who wants this? As I have stressed in earlier comments on HR 1162, it is a group of wacko extremely right- wing Republican Billionaires which includes, among others, Dick and Betsy Devos (acting through their stealth “education non-profits:” All Children Matter, the American Federation for Children, and the American Federation for Children Fund) and the Koch brothers (acting through their stealth non-profit: Americans for Prosperity aka AFP) who are determined to undermine and ultimately dismantle one of the largest and most successful democratic institutions in American history – our public school systems. And, disgracefully, they have garnered the complete and enthusiastic support of the Republican Party which has made attacking public schools and public financing of schools a major priority for all elected official and candidates who are party members. One example: HR 1162.
I support and fully agree with the comments of Mary Elizabeth who rightly reminds us that the right to a publicly-financed education was a sacred precept for Thomas Jefferson and one of the most profoundly beneficial principles of good governance ever devised. And now this network of Republican-backed billionaire political extremists and the state wide and locally elected Republican Party legislators, governors, and other officials and candidates whose campaigns they have funded, in a direct challenge to Jefferson’s brilliant educational initiative at the time of our nation’s birth, is working day and night in every state across the nation to do away with and otherwise privatize public schools at every level. The following investigative journalism pieces might be helpful:
Google: “Voucher Advocate Betsy Devos, Right-Wing Think Tanks Behind Koch-Style Attack on PA Public Schools” by Rachel Tabachnick, Talk To Action, April 20, 2011.
Google:”Pro-Voucher Astroturfing: Campaigns Across NationCoordinated by Devos, Funded by a Few Mega Donors” by Rachel Tabachnick, Talk To Action, April 24, 2011.
Google: “Video: Devos outlines stealth strategy to destroy Public Education,” April 23, 2011.
Google: “The Republican War on Education” by Ruth Coniff, the Progressive, May, 2011.
So, what about this dubious, ad hoc group the “Center for an Educated Georgia,” if you google it you will see that it states that it is “The Center for an Educated Georgia…at the Georgia Family Council.” The Georgia Family Council aka the Georgia Family Education and Resource Council was a recipient of donations from the family foundation of two of the premier billionaire, Republican extreme right-wing, anti-public school, pro-school choice-vouchers, pro-charter school, pro-let private for-profit companies run charter schools, pro-privatize public schools, pro-for profit schools, pro-let the money follow the children, pro-home schooling, pro- for-profit, online schools like Phoenix Academy and Kaplan Schools, Republican Royalty- married couples in America: Dick and Betsy Devos, good friends and allies of the infamous Koch brothers as well. Their family foundation, “the Dick and Betsy Devos Foundation donated funds to the Georgia Family and Research Education Research Council in 2007-2008. Source for this information: google this: “grants – MediaMatters Action Network – Dick and Betsy Devos Foundation Grant to Georgia Family Education and Research Council – 2007-2008.” So following the money here brings us from the “Center for an Educated Georgia” to the doorstep of Dick and Betsy Devos.
More about the Devos couple – Google “Business- Managed Education” a web site created by an Australian university professor who has tracked the negative aspects and effects of attempts by giant for-profit corporations and their wealthy executives and other wealthy individuals to interject themselves, their conservative political and social values and their wealth into the operations of public school systems around the world and especially in the US, usually to the great detriment of the students and too often for the great financial profit of the corporate executives involved. Think of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and it’s role in trying to control the Board members of the Atlanta Public Schools (in part by choosing some of the candidates who ran for election to that office), the operations of APS, its Superintendent Beverly Hall, and its outrageous role in trying to stage manage a cover-up of the cheating scandal. Big Business was deeply involved in what happened at APS. Giant corporation execs like to impose business concepts like testing and profit analysis on local public school systems This web site addresses these issues and has a section addressing the billionaires in America and elsewhere who seek to impose their harmful anti-public school wacko right-wing education theories on public school students around this nation. It covers Dick and Betsy Devos.
Reinvent_ED
March 1st, 2012
6:17 pm
@HS Public Teacher, I suggest you see my commentary at the GA Public Policy Foundation website and also read my own blog, ReinventED Solutions, where you can find out how this is an example of innovation in education. This is about more than charter schools.
Larry Major
March 1st, 2012
7:13 pm
I read both your blog and commentary. What I didn’t see is how any part of HR 1162 relates to anything you wrote. It would help to mention exactly what you think HR 1162 would do and the specific text in it that supports your contention.
teacher&mom
March 1st, 2012
7:19 pm
@2ConcernedMommy: You have reason to be concerned.
The New Orleans school district is currently a laboratory for the charter school movement. A simple google search will turn up glowing reports about the success of New Orleans charter schools.
Keep digging and you start to find a few cracks in the “success” stories. Here’s one example:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/10/06/new-orleans-accused-of-failing-disabled-students.html
A few more links concerning charters and students with disabilities:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2011/04/kipp_schools_enroll_fewer_ells.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/kipp-and-special-education/2011/03/22/ABx2bPEB_blog.html
Rockstar
March 1st, 2012
8:08 pm
Please will a charter school proponent answer this question..why can’t we apply the great things charter schools provide to ALL Georgia’s schools?
Reinvent_ED
March 1st, 2012
8:12 pm
@Larry Major, I will not inundate @Maureen’s blog with reams of empirical research that lays out what this debate is about. What it’s not about is charter schools. What it is about is how you innovate in education. Competition drives innovation, and organizational behavior 101 gives clear evidence why you would NEVER let the local school boards control charter schools.
I am not bashing public schools, but sometimes we need to let new school models and other innovative approaches to education have their own culture, their own rules. HR 1162 is a bi-partison compromise that refutes the argument that there will be taxation without representation.
Change is hard, people. If you’re willing to let new approaches into the system, then Georgia may have a chance to improve its education system. If you want the local monopolies to continue to get more entrenched, then Georgia will NEVER do right by its children.
Rick in ATL
March 1st, 2012
8:24 pm
Wow, this thread shows less EKG activity than I saw in last week’s “The Walking Dead.”
And speaking of zombies, traditional public education is the very definition of the walking dead. It’s still waiting for someone to deliver the coup de grace, and until that day it’ll stumble around aimlessly, mouth agape. When we finally do kill it off, we’ll reinvent public education, and this time we’ll make it less daycare for the entitlement set and more opportunity for the aspirational set. As it should have been all along.
3schoolkids
March 1st, 2012
8:28 pm
Special needs students have not really been a part of the debate in Georgia because we have the Special Needs Scholarship (supposedly our option to local public school). I can’t imagine any Charter having a secret formula for special needs success, but if I’m wrong someone please point me in their direction. I do believe Georgia requires a special needs certification even in Charters which is more than some states require, but I’m guessing most have only 1 sn teacher so only have one class with all sn students together which is not always the best model. In Fulton County if the Charter is unable to provide the services the child needs, the parent is directed back to their child’s appropriate program which may or may not be at their districted local school. Federal law mandates a “free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment” for that child, but it doesn’t say WHERE that education has to be.
Public HS Teacher
March 1st, 2012
9:00 pm
@ReinventED – Because you simply cannot answer my question, that is enough reason for suspect. Asking me to go to some web site and do research is ridiculous. YOU are the one asking for money. YOU are the one that should justify why.
All I ask is that you explain what is the real difference that a charter school provides over a public school!
Both are run with public money. Both must pass GA standardized stuff like EOCT and CRCT. Both must accept any student to capacity with fairness and without discrimination. Neither can really “kick out” the “bad” or “failing” kid (like a private school can).
I just really don’t understand why charter schools are needed at all. Not even a little. If there is anyone that can even vaguely mention a real and tangible difference, then let’s have it PLEASE!!!
IF (as someone mentioned) that a charter school can ignore some State rule or law and so THAT makes them better – then shouldn’t the question be – why is that horrible rule or law there to begin with???
Big Bill
March 1st, 2012
9:01 pm
Two points: (1)North Carolina approved three new charter schools today under new law removing cap on charter schools. Many folks are not happy with how this is playing out and (2) another wacko, Republican right-wing billionaire “education reformer,” Art Pope, has his story told by the great New Yorker magazine investigative reporter Jane Mayer. Google: “A Reporter at Large – State for Sale – a conservative multimillionaire has taken control in North Carolina, one of 2012’s top battlegrounds.” His role in working to dismantle the highly regarded and successful Wake County school system student diversity program and the attempted re-segregation of the school system is covered on Page Nine. It is an article that reveals a Republican’s strategy that does not augure well for our children’s futures.
Reinvent_ED
March 1st, 2012
9:42 pm
@ Public HS Teacher, I am sorry I have to give you a lesson on how innovation happens. The bottom line is that charter schools may be able to try new ways of learning – look at Carpe Diem Schools in Arizona for example, which uses blended learning. Public schools have too many policies, red tape and other hurdles which do not let teachers have the freedom to teach to the child. Not every charter school has a model I support, but we have to let them try things differently.
I strongly suggest you read my friend Michael Horn’s book, “Disrupting Class.” Maybe then you will believe. I am a friend of teachers, and you should not be afraid of charter schools, or any new school designs for that matter.
And don’t get me started on tests, because I not only despise them, but they tell us NOTHING about whether a child will succeed or not. I know this FIRSTHAND. Tests mean nothing. It just means you know how to take a test.
Larry Major
March 1st, 2012
10:03 pm
@Reinvent_ED
I didn’t ask you for any research; I asked you to mention the specific parts of HR 1162 that you support.
There is only ONE sentence and THREE clauses this amendment would add to our constitution, so fully quoting the exact part you support isn’t a blog jammer.
Lots of folks who don’t post comments read this blog for information. If you can’t do something as simple as explaining exactly which of only four changes to our constitution is such a good idea, people who read this blog to be informed can’t take you seriously.
teacher&mom
March 1st, 2012
10:31 pm
“Public schools have too many policies, red tape and other hurdles which do not let teachers have the freedom to teach to the child. Not every charter school has a model I support, but we have to let them try things differently.”
@Reinvent_ED: Who creates the many policies and red tape? The legislature has certainly created miles of red tape and more than their fair share of foolish policies.
I’m not afraid of charters and I believe they play an important role. However, taking away local control is a dangerous and calculated move.
Rockstar
March 2nd, 2012
7:44 am
I have asked the same question on three different blogs and no one has answered. If charter schools have a better model to educate all students, why is there not legislation that gives ALL public schools in Georgia charter status? Why should we limit this reform to just a few?
Reinvent_ED
March 2nd, 2012
8:13 am
@Larry Major, what I support from HR 1162 is simple. The GA Supreme Court gave the local school boards EXCLUSIVE control over charter schools. Nowhere in the GA Constitution do they get this right. Monopolies do NOT innovate and they will drag down our education quality. So I am for competition which drives innovation. I am NOT for any one particular school model. That is what HR 1162 is about. It’s about innovation, not charter schools.
Big Bill
March 2nd, 2012
11:01 am
Recent charter school developments in North Carolina afford Georgians a preview of how things will play out if the HR 1162 proponents are allowed to prevail. Yesterday the North Carolina State Board of Education gave approval for nine new charter schools to open this fall, the first schools that will open after a 100 – charter school cap was lifted by the GOP controlled N.C. General Assembly last spring.
For an informative report on these developments google: “Charter Schools Sail Through Approval Process” by Sarah Ovaska, The Progressive Pulse. (The Progressive Pulse is a blog affiliated with North Carolina Policy Watch.)
And so, unfortunately for the vast majority of students who would benefit from a public school education, North Carolina now provides us, the opponents of HR 1162, a laboratory for observing the devastating effects of the right-wing Republican onslaught against public schools. It will provide us with a ringside seat to watch the unfolding of the Republican’s ultimate plan which is to shut down the public school system in North Carolina, not that the GOP would ever admit this. Amazingly, as Mary Elizabeth revealed in one of her earlier posts on the HR 1162 issue, in a rare burst of transparency, the Republican majority leader in the North Carolina House of Representatives recently admitted espousing the complete elimination of all public schools in North Carolina!
NFparent
March 2nd, 2012
4:10 pm
@Big Bill
Thank you for three well informed posts on this topic!
People interested in this topic should be aware that the lobbying groups most interested in “EdReform” pay people to comment on blogs such as this one, casting their movement in a positive light. Starbucks cards are just the tip of the iceberg. Also, the big money interest behind all of these families are the very same people who brought us the banking and insurance scandals of 2008. They bankrupted this country and are just looking for their next tax-payer funded hand out.
Here is a link to an article describing the relationships between big business interests. I believe they plan to “Enron” our education system.
http://www.communityknowledge.net/PIPEdReform.pdf
The money quote, as far as I’m concerned:
“Proposals such as these are a business-like approaches that reduce true public oversight and accountability and instead offers a much weaker substitute: individual consumer choice. The deregulation being prescribed is one that ultimately gives freedom to investors in the guise tearing down barriers to achievement and creating “a culture of learning.” And if it fails with what will we be left? Most investors will bail out before they incur great losses but the rest of society will be left with another social disaster and taxpayers will struggle with the costly burden of putting the pieces back together.”
Public HS Teacher
March 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
@Reinvent_ED
Why do you make so many assumptions about me? I am not “afraid” of charter schools. I do not hate them.
Honestly, I just don’t understand their need to justify the cost of passing laws, etc.
As someone else pointed out to counter your point…. if there are restrictions to prevent regular public schools from trying things to improve, shouldn’t we be working to lift those restrictions? Why is a whole new category of schools needed?
You have yet to mention even one valid reason.
Notice that I have not insulted you, called you any name, nor described you in any negative way. Please return the courtesy.
Larry Major
March 2nd, 2012
7:21 pm
@ReinventEd, The Supreme Court did no such thing. For example:
“State chartered special schools” established under the Charter Schools Act of
1998, OCGA § 20-2-2060 et seq., are not in issue in this appeal and we intimate no opinion as to their status under the 1983 Georgia Constitution.
Several statements in the decision noted that local boards have long had exclusive control over GENERAL education, which is why municipalities (or in this case, the state) cannot start an independent general school system. Article VIII. Section V. Paragraph I of the Georgia Constitution starts with, “Authority is granted to county and area boards of education to establish and maintain public schools within their limits.” The last sentence, “No independent school system shall hereafter be established” makes this authority exclusive since it cannot be granted to any other entity.
HR 1162 does not address this issue in any way.
Have you a backup reason for supporting it?
CharterStarter, Too
March 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
@ Rockstar- I think you ask a very fair question on the differences between traditional schools and start up charters. The largest difference is in the governance structure and how this structure makes all decisions aligned with a singular school mission focused on The school’s population. Startups are governed by stakeholders, usually parents and community members vested in the school. This very localized decision making structure, coupled with charters’ ability to innovate and make their own decisions on hiring and firing, instructional programming, budget, and organizational structure, makes a huge difference. In short, a district level board will never be able to effectively meet the needs of every school, as they generally make system wide decisions on personnel, budget, instruction, etc. Many of the innovations charters may use (instructional focus, scheduling, uniforms, organizational structure, school culture types of processes, programs, and systems, etc.) could be used in traditional schools, but will have less impact if the school is unable to align the school mission with these changes comprehensively, which is nearly impossible given constraints of district policy and practice. Districts have had the ability to convert schools to charters, become a charter system, or request waivers, but with these we still don’t see school level governance like with the start ups – they only have advisory boards that still report to the district board.
@ Larry Major – 3 Supreme Court Justices, the state Attorney General, and legislative counsel disagree with you, which is why there is a resolution. Aside from charters, this decision leaves a huge question in the state’s authority to make decisions related to K-12 education including establish salary schedules, promulgate laws and rules, etc. so even if the charters were not included in the resolution. The state would still need to reaffirm its shared authority with districts, as the Constitution clearly states that it is a primary obligation of the STATE to provide an adequate education to Georgia students. This requires more than just being a checkbook. In its current state, legal challenge is imminent. It needs to be clarified.
Why would anyone fight a checks and balances….unless you wanted unfettered control and the ability to act unfairly? The districts basically want the state to funnel it funds without any sort of accountability to STATE taxpayers.
Public HS Teacher
March 2nd, 2012
10:39 pm
@CharterStarter,Too
Then what are the public schools called Theme schools? What you describe as starters sound a lot like Theme schools…. Riverwood HS for example.
If you advocate charter schools for school uniforms, then that would be just too funny.
Finally, regardless of where ever the “authority” lies (as if that truely matters), the schools must still adhere to the State requirements for graduation – EOCT, CRCT, standards, etc. They may have a “twist” such as offering more classes in music as electives for example (thus born a music theme school), but that’s about it.
So then, all of this hoopla over public Theme schools that have been re-named “charter”????
CharterStarter, Too
March 2nd, 2012
10:53 pm
@ HS Teacher – it appears you missed the point entirely.
Kindergarten CCSD Mom
March 2nd, 2012
11:11 pm
Bahaha! Starbucks gift cards as incentives to contact legislators!? Since I have already had a conversation with Chip Rogers, on the phone, about my distrust in our Delegation, and my all-consuming aggravation with the way our public schools have been treated, I guess I should get my gift card! A real all time low. Let’s turn parents into lobbyists for coffee!
Larry Major
March 3rd, 2012
11:29 am
CS2, the dissenting opinion argued that “special” schools are any schools created by the General Assembly separate from existing county school systems. As the majority noted, this is circular reasoning – the state can create only special schools and any schools the state creates are special because the state created them.
More to the point, HR 1162 does nothing to address this. (The part about the Legislature defining “special” is identical to what the majority opinion said.)
This notion that the state’s authority to legislate education has been questioned is pure bunk and I doubt that even the original authors of this position believe it. The actions of the Supreme Court have the full effect of law, in this case negating the Charter Schools Commission Act. It hardly includes paraphrasing or explanation of logic behind the decision. That this decision leaves the state open to future litigation is particularly absurd because there is no such thing as a decision that precludes future litigation. You may have noticed the DOE and Legislature haven’t shut down operations. Now you know why.
>Why would anyone fight a checks and balances….unless you wanted unfettered control and the ability to act unfairly?
Yeah, that’s what I always thought about state charter schools going after legislative changes when none have ever bothered to ask local voters for funding.
Public HS Teacher
March 3rd, 2012
8:51 pm
@CharterStarter, Too
Then please enlighten me. Don’t ask me to go to a web site. Don’t write a million words of double talk. Simply, just write a couple of bullet points to describe the “wonders” of a charter school. And, please be sure that they are DIFFERENT from public school options.
I am sure that I’m not the only one that honestly doesn’t understand the need for charter schools. Because the only REAL difference I see is that they provide an opportunity for a private corporation to profit off of my taxes intended for education.
Reinvent_ED
March 4th, 2012
5:42 pm
Because, everyone – competition drives innovation. And by the time you tried to unravel the rules and regulations of the establishment, we would fail, and fail miserably. Let new models have a chance to grow and then it will allow some new approaches to find their way into the public school system.
And @Larry Major – your interpretation of the constitution is dead wrong, I’m afraid. Feel free to support the status quo. Georgia’s children will continue to suffer.
I am not calling anyone by name, @Public HS Teacher. You think I don’t support teachers – I am not a threat to you. What do you fear? Remember the old saying by FDR – “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Let new approaches to public education have a chance. Because by the time you try to unravel the current system, it will be too late for our children.
Reinvent_ED
March 4th, 2012
5:45 pm
And by the way, the bill is going to pass the Senate very soon. So change is happening.
Reinvent_ED
March 4th, 2012
5:58 pm
@Larry Major, you did ask what I supported in HR 1162. I support everything. The fact that charter schools will succeed if they are not managed by local school boards, and that local school boards can not delay a vote on a charter school application. Also, that local school funding will not be cut as a result of this new bill. If we allowed the state more involvement in public education, we actually might start to run our system more efficiently.
People – the problem with our schools is not the amount of funding they receive. They receive PLENTY. The problem is that we have not invested wisely. We do not give teachers sufficient professional development, we do not allow them flexibility in teaching, we do too much “teaching to the test,” we have a vastly redundant and inefficient infrastructure, administrators do not have the proper business training to run large organizations, etc. Shall I go on???
I suggest you watch my video, “A Vision for 21st Century Learning.” I have a pure vision, and if we were to reinvent public education, then teachers would be happy, parents would be happy, because our students would be LEARNING.
Public HS Teacher
March 4th, 2012
6:37 pm
@Reinvent_ED
Again, you think that I have any fear? Why would you think that? What have I ever said to give you that thought? Why do you insist on writing that LIE over and over again?
So the ONLY reason you provide is that you think that charter schools are “against the establishment”? Is that it? Please clarify it if isn’t.
Then, you state that you want to provide chances for a “new model” to grow? Am I stating this correctly?
If I am, then I have news for you. You don’t understand charter schools at all.
1. They ARE public schools. They ARE the establishement.
2. They must adhere to the crazy rules and regulations with few exceptions. Those students must still take the State CRCT. Those students must still take the State EOCT.
3. They must still admit students that apply just like regular public schools.
4. They cannot expel the trouble makers and they cannot expel the kids that are failing – just like regular public schools.
5. The teachers there must still teach the State standards academically.
So then…. this “new” and “revolutionary” approach to education that you THINK will provide an avenue for innovation will not!!!!
Believe me – I would love if there were such a thing. But CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT IT!!!!
All that charter schools allow for is for a private corporation to set up shop and profit off of our tax dollars. That’s it. That’s all.
Why cannot you see that? Are YOU the one that is afraid?
Public HS Teacher
March 4th, 2012
6:39 pm
Reinvent_ED….
As solid PROOF of what I speak, look to the State of Florida. They have already done what Georgia is proposing (they did it a few years ago). Now, Florida education is in a wholly mess.
If you don’t believe me, YOU do the research and prove it to yourself!
Reinvent_ED
March 4th, 2012
6:40 pm
Take a look at Carpe Diem Schools and Quest to Learn. Then get back to me.
Public HS Teacher
March 4th, 2012
8:22 pm
@Reinvent_ED
Again, you want me to run around to look at whatever. Yet, you cannot come up with even one single viable real thing a charter can provide beyond what public schools already offer.
I really hope that either you are a horrible spokes-person for charter schools or that charter schools really do offer SOMETHING, otherwise they are doomed – and rightfully so!
Reinvent_ED
March 4th, 2012
9:08 pm
I am not a spokesperson for charter schools. I am a proponent of innovation in education and charter schools are one option, not the only option. I am not going to do all the research for you. And I am done debating with you.
You don’t know me, or my values, so I suggest you cease with the personal attacks. your characterization and generalization of charter schools is completely wrong, and I am done debating with ignorant people.
86% of Florida Charter schools do NOT serve students with disabilities
March 4th, 2012
9:54 pm
http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2011/12/14/no-choice-florida-charter-schools-failing-to-serve-students-with-disabilities/
Ronin
March 5th, 2012
11:23 am
While I enjoyed reading most of the posts here, the most entertaining was:
Kudos to Rick in ATL 3-1 @ 8:24 p.m.
“And speaking of zombies, traditional public education is the very definition of the walking dead. It’s still waiting for someone to deliver the coup de grace, and until that day it’ll stumble around aimlessly, mouth agape. When we finally do kill it off, we’ll reinvent public education, and this time we’ll make it less daycare for the entitlement set and more opportunity for the aspirational set. As it should have been all along.”
Hmm… maybe the State of Georgia Department of Education should hire Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) to do the clean up work. He’s got an impressive record in Zombie containment.
Reinvent_ED: interesting points to consider. thx
NFparent
March 5th, 2012
3:57 pm
.Ahh, yes….Rick’s “entitlement set” vs. the “aspirational set”
Dog whistle much?