The INS and OUTS of Charter Schools

{Pros VS. Cons}

Sha'Quiria Ransom

TEDfd 2013

" Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow."

- William Pollard

{My position}

I believe that Charter Schools are a great idea. The whole idea of charter schools is that its a different approach at meeting the same goals and standards that are required of regular public schools. Its a "think outside the box" concept the allows for academic freedom for not only students but for teachers as well. I believe that this type of learning environment is the future; it's where education is moving towards and in my honest opinion its amazing!

{Background}

Charter Schools are publicly funded schools established by a Charter between a granting body and an outside group which operates the school without most local and state educational regulations so as to achieve set goals.

It is a contract between a school board and a group of teachers and parents. Parent involvement is important!!!!!!!!!!!

{The Basics/ Facts}

Charter Schools:● Are tuition free for all ● Publicly funded by local, state, and federal

tax dollars.● Held accountable to state and federal

standards● Smaller classroom size which means

more one on one interaction with teachers and students.

Operates like a private school but its free like a public school. Anyone regardless of race, creed, or gender can attend. Funding is based on enrollment, like other public schools. Although they are allowed academic freedom with curriculum they are still held accountable for meeting state standards (i.e. passing state tests). Schools can be closed if they don't live up to the criteria stated in their contract. Although they're held accountable, the means by which they achieve those standards can be whatever they choose to be. They don't have to follow the national curriculum. For instance instead of taking Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, then Trigonometry. You could take Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry, which logically makes more sense. Stricter rules, must be on time and follow the dress code.

● Easier access to administrators and teachers

● Allow more parental involvement● Stricter rules

The Basics/Facts continued...

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) leads the pack in charter schools.

KIPP

Successful Charter Schools

Florida has the most Charter schools of any state in the U.S. with a total of 579 Charter schools. Majority of students served are Minorities with 37% Hispanic and 23% African Americans. Other demographics include 35% Caucasian, and 5% other.

{KIPP Bridge Charter School}

Charter schools are allowed freedom to be more inventive or original, while being held accountable for improved student achievement. This video is an example where ingenious learning methods are used. Here is a teacher at a Charter school in California who decided to think outside the box and use Khan Academy to teach his sixth grade math students.

{ Moving Towards The Future}

Mississippi is now on board with Charter schools. After a two year debate, Mississippi finally says ok. In my hometown a lot of people are apprehensive about this change, because they are not familiar with type of school structure. Most of the schools in the district I attended in Coahoma county are failing and this is a last attempt at improvement.

{The Big Debate}

Critics have three big reasons as to why Charter schools are a bad idea.

1. Funding2. Students are not performing any better than students at regular public schools3. Not everyone can attend

1. Funding comes from both local and government (tax dollars). Some say that majority of funding usually comes from a corporation that provides funds in exchange for advertisement at the school and that if the company isn't advertised at the school then they won't back up the school with funding.

● Not true most Charter schools are funded by the help of non - profit organizations or companies known as Education Management Organizations (EMOs), while non-profit Charter Management Organizations (CMOs) and other groups such as universities run the majority.

2.Test scores at most charter schools that have kids who have come from failing districts are actually better. Why? Because of the different methods teachers use to teach at Charter schools. Yes sometimes certain tactics don't always work, however unlike a regular public school, charter schools can keep changing their methods until they find one that does work. Trial and error is allowed at Charters more so than traditional public schools.

3. Charter schools are nonsectarian. ● They do not discriminate, everyone is welcome to join.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT ALL OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT! WITHOUT PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT CHARTER SCHOOLS WILL NOT WORK. PARENTS MUST STATE WHAT THEY WANT FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THE CHARTER (CONTRACT)! FIGHT FOR YOUR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, NEEDS, AND WANTS BECAUSE ITS THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE HEARD, THAT'S THE MAIN PURPOSE OF MAKING A CHARTER IN THE FIRST PLACE.

{where to go to learn more}

What are charter schools?Charter school centerCharter Schools That WorkInnovations in Education

CREATING HOPE & OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION THROUGH INNOVATIVE LEARNING!!!

Creating Hope and Opportunity for Education through INNOVATIVE LEARNING!!!!!!!

SourcesAckerman, S. (2011, October 30). More Parents Choosing Charter Schools For Innovative Education. The Tampa Tribune, p.1. Retrieved from http://tbo.com/news/more-parents-choosing-charter-schools-for-innovative-education-299290

Banks, A., Bodkin, C. & Heissel, J. (2011, August). Charter Schools That Work: Policies & Practices of Effective High-Poverty Charters. Retrieved from http://www.ncpublicschools.org/itern-research/reports/highpovertycharters.pdf

Florida Department of Education. (2013, February). Florida's Charter Schools. In Charter School Program. Retrieved from https://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/information/charter_schools/files/fast_facts_charter_schools.pdf

Grundy, M. L. (2010, September 23). The Case Against Charter Schools. Artvoice, (v9n38) p. 1. Retrieved from http://artvoice.com/issues/v9n38/letters/the_case_against_charter_schools

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. (2013).

Rix, K. (2013). Lessons from Charter Schools. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/lessons-charter-schools

Russom, G. (2010). The Case Against Charter Schools. International Socialist Review, (71) p. 1. Retrieved from http://www.isreview.org/issues/71/feat-charterschools.shtml

Strauss, V., Brady, M. (2010, September 22). Are Charter Schools Really Innovative? The Washington Post, P. 1. Retrieved from http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/charter-schools/are-charter-schools-really-inn.html

TriFilm Productions (Producer). (2012, August 14). Khan Academy: KIPP Bridge Charter School [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2OBN5a9ZbM

Sources continued...