By: colearie

colearie — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 03:48:09 +0000

I read this with interest… some points I understand and affirm, others I find questionable. This issue interests me as it is related to the program we participate in thru the school district – parent partnership – a successful program that allows choices — that we have fought hard to keep out of budget cuts. So… here are some of my thoughts from a different perspective…. 11. “Public schools educate all children — special ed, gifted, poverty, typical, etc. Too many charters are not inclusive of real student populations.” No, they don’t educate all students at the same level. They shoot for the middle because they must, and do their best with those who accel and those who struggle. This issue as well as safety are the main reason we homeschool (in connection with a parent partnership). One size does not fit all. 12. “Washington K-12 public schools must work for one million kids, not 5,000 kids.” This is misleading. Why would one exclude the other? If a different format works better for some populations, so be it. IMO, “mainstreaming” everybody has been a detriment to everybody. 14. ” Public schools are what American democracy is built upon — access and opportunity for all. ” Also misleading. Equal opportunity does not mean “same school for everybody”, school choices do not equal less access. Most families would exclude themselves, not be excluded. 21. “The most at-risk students whose parents can’t or won’t step up to greater advocacy or involvement that some charters demand are left out or pushed out. Our public schools enroll and teach all students.” How is this different than what happens NOW? They would remain in the traditional public school, and would likely get more focused assistance. Do we really penalize parent involvement? Is this what “equal” means? And the main crux of the issue — $$$ : 19. “Charters draw funds away from public schools, from public schools levies and bonds, and from vital shared school district resources.” This and # 9 “Education professionals know what works” strike me as arrogant. This is tax payer’s money, spent to educate children. If tax payers desire different options for how THEIR tax $ is spent, the public school doesn’t get to pretend that the tax payer is somehow “stealing” from public schools just because they claim to “know better”. Public schools serve a great purpose, but they are not sovereign.

Comments on: 21 reasons to oppose charter schools, Initiative 1240

By: colearie