tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8722134253708315320..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Why Isn't the Discussion about the Actual Charter Bill?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10500274642940895722012-03-19T20:05:29.547-07:002012-03-19T20:05:29.547-07:00@Enough Already
Your letter to Ramona Hattendorf ...@Enough Already<br /><br />Your letter to Ramona Hattendorf was dead on. And do you see any censure of Kelly Munn for her craven takeover of the legislative listserve to further her agenda?<br /><br />No you do not.<br /><br />When Kelly Munn is told to tone it down, then I'll be certain to put some stock in Hattendorf's weak protestations. Until those pigs fly, I call it ducking the issue by Hattendorf who is trying to staunch the criticism the PTSA deserves.<br /><br />DistrictWatcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59377421532123049992012-03-19T18:56:31.464-07:002012-03-19T18:56:31.464-07:00Here's what I noticed about the charter school...Here's what I noticed about the charter school proposal from the PTSA: None of the people who brought the issue forward ever expect to have a charter school in their district.<br /><br />Issue submitted by: Alison Meryweather, of Issaquah Council 2.6; Beth Sigall, of Rosa Parks ES PTSA 2.8.43; Chad Magendanz, of Maywood Middle School PTSA 2.6.40; Judy Morgan, of Hanford Secondary PTSA 12.5.45; Michele Braccia, of Hanford Secondary PTSA 12.5.45; Glenda Thomson, of Hanford Secondary PTSA 12.5.45; Audrey Bennett, of Bellevue PTSA Council 2.3Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19913557435922683022012-03-19T18:02:06.461-07:002012-03-19T18:02:06.461-07:00Shouldn't the PTSA be required to provide accu...Shouldn't the PTSA be required to provide accurate information? Here is their propaganda.:<br /><br />http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/leg_assembly/Issues_Guide_2011.pdfDisgustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70476490914109968052012-03-19T16:23:46.078-07:002012-03-19T16:23:46.078-07:00Ms. Hattendorf,
It is clear to you that you faile...Ms. Hattendorf,<br /><br />It is clear to you that you failed miserably by getting the WPTSA to advocate for charters in such an underhanded way. You probably didn't anticipate such a backlash.<br /><br />This lame attempt to try wiggle out of your accountability is not working. Saying that you're concerned with the bill while doing nothing to counter it simply reinforces what the public already knows--you are a smooth operator.<br /><br />However, you have taken the WPTSA down the wrong path, and you will<br />not last in your current position.<br />You simply don't treat intelligent, educated stakeholders like fools and get away with it.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56058956039890351962012-03-19T15:44:10.571-07:002012-03-19T15:44:10.571-07:00charter schools operators - skimming cream? school...charter schools operators - skimming cream? <a href="http://www.mlive.com/education/index.ssf/2012/03/charter-school_operators_skimm.html" rel="nofollow">school operators skimming cream or spending wisely?</a>Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17038351956957126102012-03-19T15:26:47.120-07:002012-03-19T15:26:47.120-07:00charter schools are about money, not choice: Money...charter schools are about money, not choice: <a href="http://newstimes.augusta.com/opinion/barry-paschal/2012-03-18/charter-schools-are-about-money-not-choice" rel="nofollow">Money, Not Choice</a>Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-290291734138378612012-03-19T13:47:23.390-07:002012-03-19T13:47:23.390-07:00I respectfully disagree Ramona (re: " Having ...I respectfully disagree Ramona (re: <i>" Having a position does not automatically mean the association will support any bill, and after the position was taken to be supportive of charters in Washington a memo was sent out via Grassroots and our leadership newsletters explaining what we would look for in legislation." </i>") Those steps are good but pretty passive. In this climate, if it's the wrong bill, with multiple areas of concern, and PTSA stays quiet, it's tacit approval.<br /><br />When you know legislation to be bad or insufficient or incomplete, I believe the WSPTA needs to go beyond not supporting -- you need to actively oppose. I think you need to say loud, to all legislators, and all the behind the scenes conductors (LEV, SfC, AfE, GF - and they are all key players in this one) that this bill is bad, we say NO. Using your voice in that way does send a loud and clear message. One that needs to be heard. (and one IMHO is more in line with your most of PTSAs constituents)<br /><br />And while the bill never made it out of committee, it's still alive and well by being attached to the pending budget (last I heard). Given these circumstances, shouldn't WA PTSA now say, HOLD ON, this isn't right. Take it back to committee and fix it for next year? Can PTSA do that now?<br /><br />- SPS and PTSA parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21698965937477029162012-03-19T13:28:04.921-07:002012-03-19T13:28:04.921-07:00I agree, Melissa. There seems to be splitting of h...I agree, Melissa. There seems to be splitting of hairs between supporting charters and bills.<br /><br />http://lwptsanews.net/2011/10/18/washington-state-pta%E2%80%99s-2011-12-legislative-platform/<br /><br />The WSPTSA would be wise to address the issue of support before legislation is drafted. From my perspective, they may have been used.<br /><br />There was NO mention of problems of Wa. State charter bill at the SCPTSA Charter Forum. This gave the impression the WSPTSA supported this bill. Perhaps an oversight? Perhaps clarification was needed? Who knows, but concerning.<br /><br />I also appreciate the recent message going out to their listserve, but to say "neither support or oppose"? What the heck? <br /><br />What is qualified support?<br /><br />I appreciate Ramona coming on the blog and offering her comments. Many people have not watched testimony and do not know about their blog. I give them that. However, I think it is critical for a larger message to be sent to the press.<br /><br />I can appreciate the fact, perhaps, concerns regarding the bill diminished because the bill didn't make it out of either the Senate or House. However, there were many rumors that we might see charter bills resurected during the budget process.Back peddling?noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3046649964494330412012-03-19T12:10:56.660-07:002012-03-19T12:10:56.660-07:00"Just got this email on the listserve
"..."Just got this email on the listserve<br /><br />"WSPTA neither supports or opposes; is evaluating and cites concerns"<br /><br />Hmmm indeed.<br /><br />Could it be that the Washington State PTSA realized that they alienated a lot of supporters with this stand? <br /><br />That they alienated supporters with their "qualified" support of charter legislation without any real push to either make the current legislation better or outright rejection? <br /><br />Better late than never but it looks like backpedaling.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-204426093677462432012-03-19T11:35:05.932-07:002012-03-19T11:35:05.932-07:00There's another public school property, TFA, a...There's another public school property, TFA, and For-Profit charters theme going on in Washington Post education section. TFA just formed a partnership with Imagine School, largest for profit charter company with controversial history. Interesting and very profitable real estate deal a charter school can make off public school property.<br /><br />You can blame this on those loopholes and flawed charter laws that so many people have reservations about, but want pass. Why is that? <br /><br />http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/teach-for-americas-new-partnership-<br />with-largest-for-profit-charter-network/2012/03/13/gIQAbsfrLS_blog.html<br /><br />-is this where we're heading?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3549648655933317932012-03-19T11:05:55.667-07:002012-03-19T11:05:55.667-07:00@I Understand
Let's see if I can answer one o...@I Understand<br /><br />Let's see if I can answer one of your questions by merely swapping the order of some of your post:<br /><br />Your question:<br /><br /><i>I think there needs to be a larger discussion regarding working within high poverty areas. We all know there are high turn-over rates. Why? </i><br /><br />Your own answer:<br /><br /><i>I've tutored children at risk for the past 2 years. I won't do it next year because I know I'd get burned out.</i><br /><br />I think it's pretty clear what happens, and it happens with teachers as well as volunteers.dwnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30543123838713009762012-03-19T10:43:00.284-07:002012-03-19T10:43:00.284-07:00Just got this email on the listserve
"WSPTA ...Just got this email on the listserve<br /><br />"WSPTA neither supports or opposes; is evaluating and cites concerns<br />-<br />NOTE: This bill was heard in January by the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. A companion bill was heard by the House Education Committee. It did not move out of committee and was not discussed or voted on by either chamber, but it was funded in at least one budget proposal from the Senate.<br /><br />Washington State PTA has qualified support for charter schools and is actively looking for ways to close our state's entrenched achievement gaps. The association is supportive of allowing charter public schools in Washington as a way to improve accountability and innovation – but only if the charter public schools support our principles and follow state law. <br /><br />In the bill as it currently stands, it is unclear how shared decision making will be sustained at either transformation zone schools or charter schools, or how the state will monitor and address impacts on the surrounding school district. Provisions to engage and involve families and community need to be strengthened, particularly since most laws would be waived. (Washington law allows for waivers, but currently all schools must follow a formal process.)"<br /><br />HmmmmmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3606044885014049222012-03-19T09:54:51.408-07:002012-03-19T09:54:51.408-07:00Time,
One more point, I hope you report the incid...Time,<br /><br />One more point, I hope you report the incidents you witnessed. If you haven't received acknowledgement/ support from the principal - bring your complaint to a higher level.<br /><br />There are many many caring individuals within the public school system. I don't think this sort of behavior will be accepted or tolerated.I Understandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40376180005002343552012-03-19T08:11:39.047-07:002012-03-19T08:11:39.047-07:00"...why can't we have a narrowly written ..."...why can't we have a narrowly written charters law that cuts out all the for-profits?"<br /><br />Good question but the people to direct that to are LEV, Tom, Pettigrew and charter supporters. This legislation is not that bill.<br /><br />You should report ALL bullying to the principal. It doesn't have to be formal; just "I was disappointed to hear teacher A have such a negative tone this morning."<br /><br />Sorry, but if there are poor-performing teachers in the school you are volunteering at and the principal won't do the work, that's on the principal. I know a least a couple of principals who did the work and got those teachers out of their schools.<br /><br />No, I will not support an "imperfect" law because it just opens the door. You don't fix a law after its enacted when you know it is flawed to begin with.<br /><br />The state DID pass two innovation schools laws last year (OSPI has the info) and Seattle has its imperfect Creative Approach schools. I would suggest advocating for those.<br /><br />Ramona, I didn't say you hid anything. I'm just surprised that parents here - PTSA parents - didn't say anything about the your blog. That WA PTSA knew the bill is flawed and yet didn't widely advocate for change is, yes, odd. <br /><br />Yes, we know the charter law never moved forward and that's because a lot of people who saw its law DID work against it and DID call attention to its flaws, both to the public and to lawmakers.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58383532300974541322012-03-19T06:59:51.444-07:002012-03-19T06:59:51.444-07:00(... continued)
4. "I knwo charters aren...(... continued)<br /><br /><br />4. "<i>I knwo charters aren't perfect in other states, but maybe we can dfesign it right, design it differently, make fewer mistakes, and do somethingright for these kids now.</i>"<br /><br />We cannot legislate quality.<br /><br />5. "<i>Can we not agree that SOMETHING IMPERFECT acted upon soon may be better than the status quo that continues? If we hate charters let's lobby for something that WILL work?? I am just speakingfrom frustration and saying let's find a common ground and get harmful schools the heck out of existence now.</i>"<br /><br />We already have the "SOMETHING IMPERFECT" that you seek. I'm sure that you've heard it said that democracy is a terrible system, but it's still the best one available. That's the one we have. And, not coincidentally, it's democracy. We have a democratically elected School Board and they are in charge. The Board does not have to drift like a leaf on the current. The board can demand that the superintendent present a plan for closing the academic achievement gap. Doesn't it strike you as odd that the District has never made a plan to achieve their most-stated goal? The board can insist that the superintendent comply with federal law and take meaningful and radical action in persistently under-performing schools. The board can put a lot of pressure on the superintendent to make radical reforms in under-performing schools. They haven't. They haven't because they have not had any pressure from the electorate to do so.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75667493531894253222012-03-19T06:59:36.540-07:002012-03-19T06:59:36.540-07:00Time for Real Change, here's where you're ...Time for Real Change, here's where you're going to see how tricky and tough it is for folks to actually do what you suggest.<br /><br />1. "<i>fire all the dead wood now. Many schools have some great staff and some poor staff. Some schools are stuck with harmful staff (not all) that BULLY THE CHILDREN. I saw this with my own eyes last week-- and it's not 'reportable' because it has to do with tone of voice and a general belief that the children are not of value and not much is to be expected of them, no 'illegal' words said, but some pple just should not be in teaching.</i>"<br /><br />Who will decide which people are "dead wood", bully the children, and just should not be in teaching? Will it be the school principal? Are we to understand that the school principal knows about the dead wood, the bullying, and those who should go? If the principal does know and has not taken action, then isn't it the principal who should go? If the principal doesn't know, then, again, isn't it the principal who should go?<br /><br />2. "<i>And before you tell me that the current process works or could work to get rid of them, uh-uh, too pondersome. My answer (thus my desire for non-profit charters) is to fire the whole lot and start over with an administrator who actually believes highly of the kids and pershaps can actually connect with them on many levels, linguistic, cultural, etc. Then that person should be able to hire lots of amazing staff who actually give a crap.</i>"<br /><br />I guess it's too late for me to heed your warning about using the current process (as described above). There could well be a lot of amazing staff in the school already, but you suggest that they get fired right along with the dead wood, the bullies, and the people who should just go away. Hmmm. And what would happen to them? Would they find another teaching job somewhere? Where? Think of the future consequences of this practice. Once this starts happening, why would any competent teacher take a job in a struggling school? Wouldn't it be better to replace the principal you proposed above and then let that person make replacements as needed among the staff, set the new culture of the school, improve the sagging morale of the remaining teachers, and hire lots of amazing staff?<br /><br />3. "<i>Under current state law that's not really do-able, despite the OSPI transformation schools and the new CBA.</i>"<br /><br />Sugar, not only is it "do-able", but in some cases it is actually required. The problem is that no one has enforced the laws that require it. No one in the District has followed the law and no state-level bureaucrat has enforced the law. What you describe in your fantasy is exactly what is supposed to happen in any school that reaches Step 5 in No Child Left Behind. We have a number of such schools, but none of them has EVER been shut down, re-invented, and re-opened as the federal law requires.<br /><br />(continued...)Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36380702833647243102012-03-19T00:28:06.143-07:002012-03-19T00:28:06.143-07:00"I knwo charters aren't perfect in other ..."I knwo charters aren't perfect in other states, but maybe we can dfesign it right, design it differently, make fewer mistakes"<br /><br />Time,<br /><br />Again, I share your concerns. I too have seen young children being spoken to in totally disrespectful manner. Totally upsetting. <br /><br />I appreciate your desire to create a different type of charter, but I'm not seeing anything in the bill that would guarantee such results. Let's face it- there are many charter schools being charged with issues around discipline. States around the country are having difficulty closing poor charter schools.<br /><br />So, suppose something different could be created; what about the other kids left behind?<br /><br />I appreciate your sense of urgency and compassion. Too many kids are falling through the cracks for a wide variety of reasons.I Understandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36290352318867230772012-03-18T23:11:00.889-07:002012-03-18T23:11:00.889-07:00There are some great turnarounds happening. Check ...There are some great turnarounds happening. Check out Auburn school district. Great cultural competency work up in Marysville (tribe took the initiative to help staff).<br /><br />Even among proponents charter public schools aren't seen as THE answer. Just another option. Massachusetts has an interesting mix of traditional, charter and "pilot" schools. <br /><br />Per what PTA should advocate for, we advocate for our body of positions, and our legislative advocacy efforts go first to our Top 6 positions. Charter schools is one of eight "also supported" issues and as such isn't on the front burner. (Yes, despite what you read on blogs it is not an issue I have been pounding the pavement on. I have been engaging, per the direction given via our process. It is not a top issue and it shares my time with 14 platform issues, including other strategies to close the achievement gaps, early learning and juvenile justice along with other K12 improvements. <br /><br />Basic education funding reforms and system <br />improvements (like evaluation reform) are my primary focus. Again, all WSPTA positions are posted on www.wastatepta.org. If you are a member and wish to engage with state legislative issues, there is a listserv you can subscribe to, there is also Grassroots Connection, which anyone can access now via the blog.<br /><br />Also, if you are a member, WSPTA doesn't tell you what to advocate for individually, or as a local unit. But formal positions taken at legislative assembly and at convention will be presented as association positions and advocated for accordingly. <br /><br />In the case of charter public schools we have qualified support and will advocate for legislation that meets our criteria. The bill in question never cleared committee and has not been discussed on the floor of either chamber.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81171708453847452562012-03-18T22:19:46.488-07:002012-03-18T22:19:46.488-07:00WSPTA testimony has been to suggest ways to improv...WSPTA testimony has been to suggest ways to improve the charter school bill. We never supported or opposed. <br /><br />People on blogs like this one evidently made many assumptions. No one bothered to ask, or simply read what has been publicly posted.<br /><br />Having a position does not automatically mean the association will support any bill, and after the position <br />was taken to be supportive of charters in Washington a memo was sent out via Grassroots and our leadership newsletters explaining what we would look for in legislation.<br /><br />Grassroots Connection is WSPTA's legislative newsletter. It is sent out via email and has been for years. Any member can subscribe. This winter we moved it over to a blog format to make it easier for leaders to share information with their local members, and for members to more easily look up information on their own. <br /><br />On charters, WSPTA testimony dates back to January when the bill was first heard. There was no effort to hide our position or testimony, and frankly that is an odd assertion. No one on this blog, or any other for that matter, ever asked what we had to say about the bill.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43353515592973371532012-03-18T22:10:07.743-07:002012-03-18T22:10:07.743-07:00Time for real change here again--
You all are def...Time for real change here again--<br /><br />You all are definitely awesome. I was really speaking from frustration and I am glad for your kind responses in which I did NOT need my asbestos skivvies... but seriously, why can't we have a narrowly written charters law that cuts out all the for-profits? To Charlie's point: this is what I want-- fire all the dead wood now. Many schools have some great staff and some poor staff. Some schools are stuck with harmful staff (not all) that BULLY THE CHILDREN. I saw this with my own eyes last week-- and it's not "reportable" because it has to do with tone of voice and a general belief that the children are not of value and not much is to be expected of them, no "illegal" words said, but some pple just should not be in teaching. And before you tell me that the current process works or could work to get rid of them, uh-uh, too pondersome. My answer (thus my desire for non-profit charters) is to fire the whole lot and start over with an administrator who actually believes highly of the kids and pershaps can actually connect with them on many levels, linguistic, cultural, etc. Then that person should be able to hire lots of amazing staff who actually give a crap. Under current state law that's not really do-able, despite the OSPI transformation schools and the new CBA. Kids are aging every day. I knwo charters aren't perfect in other states, but maybe we can dfesign it right, design it differently, make fewer mistakes, and do somethingright for these kids now. I have seen a number of adult actions that are perfectly legal and make my blood boil, and would not be tolerated in the kind of school with lots of stay at home mamas roaming the hallways, mamas with savvy system skills. Can we not agree that SOMETHING IMPERFECT acted upon soon may be better than the status quo that continues? If we hate charters let's lobby for something that WILL work?? I am just speakingfrom frustration and saying let's find a common ground and get harmful schools the heck out of existence now.<br /><br />Time for real changeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17309703419187435512012-03-18T21:19:01.214-07:002012-03-18T21:19:01.214-07:00If any of you think the worst has been done, think...If any of you think the worst has been done, think again...<br /><br />ALEC is busy: <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/alec-education-academy-launches-island-resort/1328280896" rel="nofollow">ALEC EDUCATION ACADEMY</a>Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79222968926694757632012-03-18T21:08:14.927-07:002012-03-18T21:08:14.927-07:00Time for real change suggested:
"No student ...Time for real change suggested:<br /><br />"<i>No student should have to go to school in an environment like the many out there where test scores are so low (and also morale) that it's not even funny. Time to can the whole thing and start over.</i>"<br /><br />So when we "can the whole thing" what will we get rid of?<br /><br />And when we start over, what will we build?<br /><br />There are a number of people, myself included, who have strongly - even stridently - called for the closure, re-invention, and re-opening of a number of schools. We've wanted the same as you. No need to pull up the asbestos skivvies, you're preachin' to the choir.<br /><br />The obstacles to reform - real, meaningful reform that will actually help students - is not in the teachers' union but in the school-, district-, and state-level administration. They are the ones who make the rules that you want to break. They are the ones that establish and maintain the system that isn't working. They are the bureaucrats who don't do any work to actually teach students. They are the ones who would get cut out in a charter school.<br /><br />So, yes, it is tempting to support charter schools that will cut them out. But who will become the administrators in their place? Will those administrators create a system that is much different from the current system, or will the charter school administrators create a system that is essentially identical to the existing public school system, but with a few incremental changes: younger, hungrier, cheaper teachers who don't have the benefits of union protection and burn themselves out in two years; a self-selected group of students from families that are engaged enough to choose the charter school; and the negative selection of any students with special needs.<br /><br />If that's all we're going to get from charter schools, then they do not represent any kind of a step forward.<br /><br />If, however, we get a different kind of school, a school that is built around the needs of the students, a school that has a system that works for kids, and teachers, and families and the community, then I, too, will welcome it.<br /><br />That school could just as easily - in fact more easily - be a public school than a charter school.<br /><br />So let's work towards that kind of school - and not just one or two of them, but at every school - and not get too hung up with the question of whether it is a charter school or a public school or a private school that has found some way to provide equitable access to all.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79330273627881433082012-03-18T20:27:52.256-07:002012-03-18T20:27:52.256-07:00Excellent chart outlining Transformation Zone Scho...Excellent chart outlining Transformation Zone Schools and charter schools:<br /><br />http://apps.leg.wa.gov/CMD/showdoc.ashx?u=A2iGB9PMbwyP2X1C%2bw7qdVoo636n00r%2fAh888keMqQ1e4m6bl2JyexkM5e26llIDMOyMqTHCX81EJv5LTwc1tKeTS1QBGmFe2wlyI0FEB4V%2byGLpKn%2f7Kw%3d%3d&y=2012Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8469946298402498682012-03-18T19:01:30.777-07:002012-03-18T19:01:30.777-07:00SJ, I can tell you in all my activist years I have...SJ, I can tell you in all my activist years I have met so many smart, committed parents in every corner of this city. <br /><br />I WISH parents would be allowed even some input to the program placement and/or direction of their school. <br /><br />I wish that were true for charter school parents. (It's not in the charter law and I really doubt it would be for any charter.)<br /><br />I wish that were true for public school parents. I think parents are now kept so busy fundraising that they don't even think about the direction of their school.<br /><br />The one place I have seen it is in our alternative schools and if they were given the latitude they used to get, it would be more of a partnership.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36262605299557942152012-03-18T18:03:29.034-07:002012-03-18T18:03:29.034-07:00I have spent a lot of time going over charter scho...I have spent a lot of time going over charter school research in the last 6 months and I have been saddened by the results. Charters simply aren't the-answer many of us had hoped they'd become. I spent 10 years educating our poorest children, both in general and special education. I also received an M .Ed in educational administration while interning as an administrator for Los Angeles Unified SD. I worked with and witnessed a great deal of dead wood over the years, and it was beyond heartbreaking to see our most vulnerable students struggle in our broken system. I watched a gifted and hard working principal lose her job after unsuccessfully attemting to help a senior teacher become more effective. Teachers are inherently supportive in nature, and when a principal dares to label a teacher as unsatisfactory, their colleagues (and the union) almost always come to their defense, regardless of the facts. In this specific case, the union prevailed in saving a poor teacher because the principal didn't have an extensive case reprt for each teacher in the school, despite the fact that it would be physically impossible to so.<br /><br />I had hoped charters would be the great equalizer. I envisioned they would provide our poorest students with nothing but the best teachers. I thought they'd be lead by the best principals who would have the freedom to be real instructional leaders, instead of puppets carrying out the wishes of misguided school board members and district leaders, but that is not what they have become. <br /><br />Somehow the entire charter movement was taken over by well organized foundations more interested in carrying out their fresh ideas, than looking at actual research/results. The amount of money involved is naturally corruptive. <br /><br />I still wonder though, what if a neighborhood school chose to become a charter, if they chose to dissolve their relationship with the NEA, the district and their school board and they had true autonomy. If the parents, students and teachers made all economic and instructional decisions with no outside organizational influence- would that prove more effective? My optimistic streak wants to believe so, but the realist in me says screams NO! What would make the parents suddenly have the time, energy and knowhow to improve their school because it became a charter. Unless we invest and support in the greater community, there will be no magic bullets for our failing schools.SJnoreply@blogger.com