By Oldprof

February 9, 2009 10:04 PM | Link to this

Mom, yes, private schools do not expel all behavior problems. It’s the charter schools that do so—tho’ some of them don’t, and just ignore the behavior problems and allow them to commit all sorts of petty crimes on campus. And let’s keep in mind that only the public schools are required to accept the most severely challenged students—at a cost, thanks to federal regulations, of up to $80,000 apiece in special services. That’s why the average cost per student in DPS is higher than at suburban schools (where families with disabled children generally can’t afford to live) or charters. BTW, I don’t have the current figures, but the cost per student at Chaminade is rather close to that of DPS—if I recall, CJ claims that their tuition covers about half of the actual cost, and their tuition is what now, $6K per year?

By Mom of 3

February 9, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this

Not all private schools kick out kids with behavioral problems. I specifically put my child into a private school environment that I knew he would do well in. My child is not the type to sit still in class all day long and be quiet. He needs to play and run and be able to be a kid. I feared that if he went to DPS they would demand he be tested and treated for ADHD. Private schools, like public schools, cannot legally kick a child out if they have a diagnosed medical condition (or physchological condition) that is the root of their negative behavior. Oh, and btw, Dayton does not take all the “troubled” kids into normal schools. There are many children Dayton throws to the curb and they end up going to special schools, with DPS footing their bill. Dayton has an obligation to ensure the child receives an education, not that the child has to be in a public school.

By Oldprof

February 5, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this

Rick, does the medical establishment show contempt for parents by refusing to obey them when they insist their kid needs drugs or a full body x-ray? Do attorneys show contempt when they advise that a lawsuit is not tenable? You wouldn’t insult those professionals, yet you insist that educators are less qualified than amateurs like Terry Ryan and Checker Finn; a sign that you are not thinking clearly on these issues.

By Joe Lacey

February 2, 2009 6:11 AM | Link to this

Mr. Ryan says that many of the children entering the voucher program are behind. In Dayton, most of the children entering the voucher program simply moved from a charter school. Yes Rick, you can blame charters for this one.

By Rick

February 1, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand Mr. Lacey’s comments. Is he saying that the regular government schools, such as the DPS, are failed government programs? In addition, DPS officials for years have been pointing out that the majority of children entering the system were behind, and this was before there were charter schools. Can’t blame the charter schools for this one.

By Concerned Mom of 3

February 1, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

This comment is not related to the article, but does relate to the comments posted here. I agree with Laura… If a student leaves the public school for a charter/private school, they should have to stay there for the entire year. It is my understanding that once the money goes with the child, it does not come back to the public district when/if they transfer. (If I am wrong about the money, please feel free to correct me.)

By Joe Lacey

January 31, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this

“Many of these youngsters enter their new schools two, three or more years behind grade level.” What he doesnt say is that most of these same youngsters are from charter schools going from one failed government program to another.

By Rick

January 31, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this

I disagree with davidss2, monopoly was one of the major problems with the DPS; they were consistently rude and dismissive of parents or concerned citizens. I agree with him partially; we have a lot of parents who are not interested in education. I disagree with Teacher and Taxpayer and Laura. All schools should have the ability to apply appropriately discipline unruly students. You show your socialist leanings; you want to pull the best schools down rather than lift the worst up.

By Laura

January 30, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this

Teacher and taxpayer is correct. The students I have the most discipline problems with (as well as problems with their parents) are the students who are returning to DPS from a charter school. Their parents take them out of DPS and put them in a charter school because of discipline problems they don’t want to deal with, then when they have exhausted the available charters, they return to DPS to wreck more havoc. If the charter school enrolls the student, they should have to stay there for the entire school year.

By Oldprof

January 29, 2009 11:36 PM | Link to this

I would like to know why Terry Ryan gets regular editorial time at DDN. He’s been wrong consistently; Fordham’s charter school agenda has failed miserably, and Ryan himself is a master at lying with statistics. Does Fordham pay DDN to feature his claptrap? What does a responsible commentator need to do to get equal time—outside of working his way into the DDN editorial board?

By Teacher and taxpayer

January 29, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this

When the charters, parochial and private schools are required to accept any students that cross their doorsteps, and keep them, regardless of their learning problems, social problems or any other kind of problems, then we can have a discussion regarding school success. Until then, the public schools, especially the urban public schools, are performing a service that no other educational entity will take on. Mr. Ryan, and others who are in favor of competitive schools, continues to ignore this disparity. Level the playing field and then we can talk about more support for charters and private schools.

By davidss2

January 29, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

I can’t imagine why Ryan would want free money for all schools instead of public schools, grin. We need to support the public. Now that Husted is out of power and is still trying to make people think he lives on Shearbrook in Kettering (anyone seen him there during the snow this week?) the charter and religious right won’t be able to get more free public money for their toys. Monopoly was not the problem with Dayton schools: the population’s lack of interest in education was the problem.

By Rick

January 29, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

I agree with his comments. Like him, I want private, charter, and public schools to all succeed. My goal is not to have a monopoly, as that proved devastating to Dayton schools, but rather choice for parents and students.