Search All of the Math Forum:
Views expressed in these public forums are not endorsed by
Drexel University or The Math Forum.
|
|
|
|
Re: True Cost Of Charter Schools
Posted:
Sep 26, 2012 2:29 PM
|
|
|
|
Sharing my opinon on this article shown after my text.
This writer has taken a small sampling of data and then projected
broad generalizations about charter schools. I would encourage readers to
consider the idea that all charter schools are different, as well as, their
relationships and contracts with their authorizer(s) It therefore does not
make sense to me that we could rightfully establish a set called "charter
schools" where broad generalizations could be made.(Not saying that no
similarities exist. For example each one has its own governing board)
Each state has its own charter school laws and in most cases very weak,
where charter school law gets written to patch problems, not as a
comprehensive accountability system, other than requiring NCLB adherence
in varying degrees. For example, some state charter school laws allow non
certified teachers to be hired, while others require the certification and
NCLB "highly qualified" teachers.
Charter schools in Alaska where I am employed as a certified teacher, are
funded less that the traditional public schools, however, not at the state
level, but at the local tax level. In other words our Municipality helps
fund the traditional schools, yet not the charter schools and at the same
time charter school parents pay property and other local taxes, but the
schools their students attend do not get any of the tax dollars they pay
locally.
In Alaska, all charter schools are all public schools following all the
same laws and regulations. Other than the specific "waivers" found in
charter school law that allow freedom of curriculum, schedules, textbooks
and programs for charter schools they are required to operate the same.
Since any resident can start at charter school in my state, some are
opened without great frameworks and fail - these schools are and should be
closed.
My point is that the charter school issues are very complex and not so
easy to accurately generalize like this writer does.
Back to planning more ways to help close the achievement gap within my own
students. In my opinion, that is where the most meaningful work is done.
Anna
On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 6:42 AM, Domenico Rosa <DRosa@post.edu> wrote:
>
> http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/hc-letters-to-the-editor-cdb,0,1099648,results.formprofile?SortBy=cdb_01_num+desc%2Ccdb_08_txt+desc&PageSize=10&Page=1&Query=Achievement+First+High+School+62
>
> Letters To The Editor
>
> True Cost Of Charter Schools
>
> Margaret Rick, West Hartford
> The writer is a retired elementary school principal.
>
> on 2012-09-17
>
> Let's put an end to the propaganda that says that charter schools do a
> better job of educating students for less money.
>
> According to The Courant, the Achievement First High School has a budget
> of $1.7 million for its 62 students [Sept. 17, Page 1, "Singular Focus:
> Achievement Is More Than Just A Name At Charter School"]. Do the math.
> That's $27, 419 per student with the city providing transportation and
> meals. In contrast, the Hartford public school system spends about $14,830
> per student.
>
> Then there's the pretense that these schools are closing the achievement
> gap. If that were the case, we would see it reflected in the state numbers.
> The fact is that you cannot say charter (or magnet) schools are narrowing
> the achievement gap when they do not have a population that is comparable
> to the general student population in the city. It is faulty math.
>
> It is essential to have accurate and honest data about charter school
> costs and accomplishments to help our state legislators make better
> decisions about the expansion of these programs. On the other hand, perhaps
> they would like to equalize the funding and give $27,419 per student to
> non-charter public schools?
>
> ------- End of Forwarded Message
>
>
|
|
|
|
