There is one thing that really bothers me about charter schools...and I will acknowledge that it is probably easier for me to say this because I do not have children -- they seem to me to work if the community throws its support and undivided attention into the school. Which is great, for that one school, in that one neighborhood where there are enough people that do not work full time and can dedicate themselves to being on the board and raising funds. But, I fear, this is where we lose sight of our civic duty. One school may save our child, and the children we know personally and therefore care about, but there are a lot of children out there in the community that suffer from this dis-involvement in the county school system by the very people who could do most to insure that children get an excellent education. The two education systems that result will make our county more divided, poorer in some areas and better preparing kids to go off and live somewhere else in others.
Charter schools are a stop gap solution, but they are not THE solution.
I don't know enough about how charter schools are run to argue this punzy. but I do know several families who have been involved in charter schools here and other places. It is my understanding that it is a public school but has its own kind of "charter" and oversight. It demands the participation of parents - so you must agree to be involved with your childrens' education. I think this is excellent. too bad you must have a charter school to demand this. parents must agree to all of the rules and regs and standards, etc., set forth in the charter. they actually sign a contract.
I don't know anything about how the funding works, except the charter school may go forward with annual fundraisers in order to fund programs and salaries as set forth in their charter. another excellent thing, IMO.
I fail to see how a charter or other alternative school takes away from other schools in the community. I believe families need a variety of choices.
I do know that several years ago Pt Washington and area parents worked very hard to have Bay Elementary (middle school then i think) turned into a community charter school. the school board did not like the idea and would not allow it to go forward. a lot of families working very hard, who are very involved in their childrens education, had put forth many long hours of work in that project to have it shot down. it was a real disappointment for our area. I believe a principal lost her job over it as well.
I also know that children and families have enjoyed being part of Seaside Neighborhood School - its a small school and certainly not for everyone. It is considered "alternative". and a wonderful educational environment, supported by Seaside and many individuals and businesses in our community.
so, I do not see that charter and other alternative schools take away from our public schools. I do think families should have choices. Our children have different learning styles and being able to choose a small alternative school for certain children (and families) is wonderful to be able to do. I've seen families with children in both public and private (right here in sowal) because their children have different learning styles and needs. how great is that?
the homeschooling trend bothers me a lot too for some reason. I'm very afraid of what these children are being "taught" in their own homes. but I also know some wonderful families who do homeschooling, and do it well.
none of the above is perfect, that's for sure. I don't propose to scrap the school board, although I do wonder what the hail they are there for sometimes, and why the hail they need to be elected. sounds really suspicious to me. politicians running our schools? maybe we need to take a good look at this sooner rather than later. I mean, we do have professional education administrators hired to run schools, make decisions, etc.
I have my homework cut out. got a lot to learn in the next few years as I make decisions about the placement of my child. I will be interviewing some folks over the next several months...
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