Charter schools making gains under Obama's education plan: "a fundamental shift"

[Karmadillo]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/nation/story/79708.html

By Diana Lambert | The Sacramento Bee

Charter schools have come into vogue as an attractive alternative for parents and kids looking for innovative learning environments and higher test scores.

They've also become a priority in President Barack Obama's plan to overhaul the nation's education system.

And California legislators have pushed through laws that simplify charter funding and lift a cap on how many can operate in the state.

A new report by the California Charter Schools Association shows that more charters have opened this school year than in any year since 1992, when legislation first made them possible. The addition of 88 charter schools this year brings the total to 809 schools in California. Collectively, they enroll 341,000 students – about 5 percent of the state's student population.

<edit>

It's hard to tell from test scores. On the Academic Performance Index, California's primary yardstick for student achievement, charter schools and district-run schools score similarly, on average.

more...

[joeybee12]

1. Exactly...charter schools are no better or worse, but their backers get paid

for pushing them...follow the money...everything is for sale in this country, now even your child's future.

[Karmadillo]

3. Are any leading Democrats speaking out against this?

nt

[Johonny]

5. I believe that they were better to start

Initially charter schools in an area will out perform the public school. This is because they attract the type of parents that are active in their kids lives. However as more of the schools in the system convert to charter schools the effect tends to disappear. It would indicate the charter school has no magical property over the public school and society would be better off with "better" parents rather than the mythical "better" schools.

[Vincardog]

2. Charter schools are a fraud and a drain on our public school systems. The "project" their enrollment...

over promise and under preform. They ship their failures to further depress the public system and have no place in our public school system. WE do not need another way to segregate our schools.

[KamaAina]

4. Charters are getting way out of hand

in post-Katrina NOLA, there are now more charters than there are traditional public schools, most of which are now run by the state through the "Recovery School District".

Of course, charters aren't supposed to discriminate against students who they fear might drag down their all-important test scores, like students with disabilities -- but from what I hear, they're mostly ending up in the RSD schools.

[omega minimo]

6. In Sacbee's town

http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/2318192.html

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Exclusive-Congressional-Report-Rhee-did-damage-control-after-sex-charges-against-fiancee-Kevin-Johnson.html

[Nikki Stone1]

7. If you had been keeping up with Madfloridian, you'd know the whole story behind this

Since you haven't, here:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/5307

[Dinger]

8. Good Call Nikki (nt)

[Nikki Stone1]

11. Thanks, Dinger. Madflo is the expert on this stuff.

Everyone who cares about education should read her blog.

[JDPriestly]

9. Charter schools are a joke. The only thing good about them is

that people have fooled themselves into thinking that they are better than public schools. Just a cruel joke on the taxpayers and the children who attend them.

My neighbor's children attend a charter music school. They play various instruments. Just so happens that I studied music, have a degree in it and taught it at one point in my life. So you can imagine my shock when I went Christmas caroling with these children. They had no concept of singing the simplest songs in tune. It was frightening. And yes, they attend a Christian church, so it isn't because they don't know the carols. What a waste of time and money.

[rollingrock]

10. In other words

Obama's education policy follows in the footsteps of No Child Left Behind, and is no different from Bush's?

fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...uh, won't get fooled again!

[waiting for hope]

12. Worse - using tax payers money to fund

Charter Schools is the end round having to issue vouchers (Bush's deal) - and it's being done without the approval of the populace.