Tough road for charters on ‘worst’ list
The state’s 113 lowest-performing schools seeking federal school-reform money includes eight charter schools. Their applying for a School Improvement Grant caught my eye, because that would appear to contradict state policy, which presumes that charter schools on the list of lowest achievers would shut down.
But a closer look reveals a more complex situation, with several schools in limbo and others already facing strict scrutiny by state or local regulators. And the number eight was off.
For starters, two – United For Success in Oakland Unified and Highlands Academy of Arts and Design in Twin Rivers Unified – were misclassified; they are actually district schools, according to district officials.
A third school listed, Edison-Ronald McNair Intermediate Schools in the Ravenswood District in East Palo Alto, ended its affiliation with the for-profit operator, Edison Learning, two years ago because of poor test scores, and reverted to a district-run school.
The State Board of Education will decide this week whether a fourth school, Today’s Fresh Start Academy, can continue to operate. The K-8 school, serving
But a closer look reveals a more complex situation, with several schools in limbo and others already facing strict scrutiny by state or local regulators. And the number eight was off.
For starters, two – United For Success in Oakland Unified and Highlands Academy of Arts and Design in Twin Rivers Unified – were misclassified; they are actually district schools, according to district officials.
A third school listed, Edison-Ronald McNair Intermediate Schools in the Ravenswood District in East Palo Alto, ended its affiliation with the for-profit operator, Edison Learning, two years ago because of poor test scores, and reverted to a district-run school.
The State Board of Education will decide this week whether a fourth school, Today’s Fresh Start Academy, can continue to operate. The K-8 school, serving