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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2005 > November > 29 > Entry
Charters go on trial
In a case that will be closely watched nationally, the Ohio Supreme Court today is hearing testimony in a four year old lawsuit filed by teachers unions and other public education groups on behalf of Ohio families challenging the legality of charter schools.
The charter opponents make an interesting argument, one that echoes opposition to segregation. They argue that by creating a second public school system of charter schools, the state has in essence built a dual system of education — regular public schools on one side, charters on the other — with uneven accountability standards and funding. Proponents argue charters are merely a new public school option and that public education remains one system.
Given the politics of the high court, which leans heavily to the right, I’d be surprised if the suit prevailed. But it will still be interesting to hear the best arguments for and against charters out loud in a courtroom. We’ll see how closely they track to the arguments I made when I debated myself over the merits of Dayton’s charter movement.
Given Dayton’s experience with charters, I’d love to hear what Daytonians think about this court battle. Should charter expansion be stopped or should the state shut charters down entirely, as opponents might like? Or do charters need more resources and more freedom, as supporters often argue?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Charter Schools and School Choice
Comments
By Kay
December 1, 2005 7:24 AM | Link to this
Less violence at charter schools is actually the reality. First of all, students don’t carry their reputation with them when they transfer to a charter school, so they have the opportunity to start anew. Two, they are given individualized attention and the support they need from teachers to succeed. Many can work independently at their own pace. At-risk students actualy embrace the new responsibilities given to them at charter schools. They don’t have the time for, or the interest in, violence. After all, for many students it was a protection mechanism—in a new setting, they don’t need this mechanism. That’s a good question about ho to replicate it at traditional schools. As for Mary’s comment about teachers—I think this is one problem that traditional schools face. Instructors at charter schools are there because they WANT to be there. The students feel that, too. Some charter schools have developed a very effective “family” system that benefits both the instructors and the kids. I think it all comes down to the reason teachers are teachers in the first place. Charter school teachers are mentors not only in academics, but in real-life situations, too, and they are happy to help students in any way they can.By Terri
November 30, 2005 3:03 PM | Link to this
“a safe environment free from violence” Why is it that there seems to be less violence at charter schools? Is it just perception or reality? If it is reality - how do they do it and can we replicate in the noncharter schools?By Mary
November 30, 2005 7:38 AM | Link to this
The idea that teachers’ unions always speak for the benefit of kids (including the case about charter schools) has been a sore point for me. I just read about a new book along this line in today’s USA Today. It is subtitled “How politics and greed ruin education”. Apparently, the author points out that teacher’s unions are better at speaking up for themselves than for kids.By Kay
November 29, 2005 5:56 PM | Link to this
More terrible, however, are students who don’t attend ANY school. Some education from someone who gives them the attention they need is better than no education and no chance at a high school degree. I’m not sure, but the disapproval of charter schools seems to come from people who have no experience with them. I wonder if there are any people (parents or graduates) who feel the way Tilley does?By T. Tilley
November 29, 2005 3:28 PM | Link to this
Although I believe many charter schools started out as being a better choice for “at risk” students, they have strayed away from this original intention. Charter schools ARE just another form of public school education. Any organization that receives government monies is and should be subject to government regulations (i.e. standards, proficiency scores, etc.). While many charter schools have effectively avoided producing results that show they are effective schools, public schools do not have this ability. They must report scores. Therefore, the public is seeing only what the charter school wishes for them to see. This is an unfair advantage that charter schools have over public schools. They should be held accountable to the same standards as regular public schools. Also charter schools are able to hire non-teaching degree employees to teach their classes. This is another disadvantage to the students. They could be learning chemistry from a person who holds a bachelors degree in finance. Hmmmm, what is wrong with that picture???By Kay
November 29, 2005 2:46 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, charter schools have a bad reputation. However, many of them are relatively new and have not had the opportunity to get “up-and-running” as smoothly as long-established public and private schools. Students who go to particular charter schools express support from instructors that they didn’t get at traditional schools, acquire a sense of accomplishment and build confidence, learn applicable skills to use in careers and life, realize an opportunity to earn high school diplomas when traditional schools do not work out for them, acquire educations in a safe environment free from violence, and feel that they are encouraged rather than discouraged from succeeding. Different students have different needs, and why shouldn’t they be accomodated? Charter schools have the ability (if properly supported by the community) to produce productive members of society out of students who simply need an alternative form of education. Not only is this good for students, for their families, but for our community as well. It is important for Dayton to realize that charter schools are a blessing for many students who are at-risk for drop-out or have effectively dropped out of school. 5600 dropouts are a lot of students—students who, through charter schools, go on to get postsecondary education, job skills, and even family and social skills. The community gave up on these students once—let’s not give up on them again.By Mickie
November 29, 2005 1:47 PM | Link to this
My son started at a Dayton Charter School this year for the first time, and he is doing excellent. In regular high school, he was too distracted with all the social clicks, but now he goes to school and works hard everyday. I personally think the charter school was the best choice for him. In regular high school he was a C/D student, now it’s all B’s…..