Walking You Thru 1240 - Part 1
I am preparing an annotated analysis of 1240 so that anyone and everyone can see exactly what it says (and does not say which is the case in many places).
First, do NOT bother to write a comment "Melissa, there is no perfect bill or initiative" because I'm sorry - this is an aggressive and vague charter school initiative and there is every reason to be suspicious of it. (Again, like many things that Charlie and I disagree with, if this initiative had been well-written and yes, "modest and reasonable" then I would have far less ground to stand on. )
So let's start with the opening section, 101, which is basically a preamble. You'd think I wouldn't find much here but they get out the gate with a lot of what is overblown and not data-provable rhetoric.
e) Forty-one states have public charter schools with many ranked higher in student performance than Washington's schools;
First, do NOT bother to write a comment "Melissa, there is no perfect bill or initiative" because I'm sorry - this is an aggressive and vague charter school initiative and there is every reason to be suspicious of it. (Again, like many things that Charlie and I disagree with, if this initiative had been well-written and yes, "modest and reasonable" then I would have far less ground to stand on. )
So let's start with the opening section, 101, which is basically a preamble. You'd think I wouldn't find much here but they get out the gate with a lot of what is overblown and not data-provable rhetoric.
e) Forty-one states have public charter schools with many ranked higher in student performance than Washington's schools;
Yes, and as we know, many rank the same or lower.
f) Allowing public charter schools in Washington will give parents more options to find the best
Trying to Figure Out the Message in I-1240
So there seems to be a couple of themes emerging from the pro-charter side. First, it seemed it was aboutchoice.
"Why do you oppose choice for poor children?" This is what one of the $100k donors said to me.
So first of all, that's a fairly unfair and disrespectful thing to say. There is no one that would oppose choice for poor children.
What is hard to understand is this belief that you can equalize everything in education for all children. (Teach for America and charter school supporters believe this and it's a great slogan but it's not reality-based.)
For example, we can't give every single child the option of a private school education (Bill Gates not withstanding as he recently lauded his childhood school, Lakeside, and said he wanted a Lakeside experience for all kids. Don't we all, Bill, don't we all?)
Better education? Absolutely. But what is interesting is this idea that charters are so innovative and that we will
"Why do you oppose choice for poor children?" This is what one of the $100k donors said to me.
So first of all, that's a fairly unfair and disrespectful thing to say. There is no one that would oppose choice for poor children.
What is hard to understand is this belief that you can equalize everything in education for all children. (Teach for America and charter school supporters believe this and it's a great slogan but it's not reality-based.)
For example, we can't give every single child the option of a private school education (Bill Gates not withstanding as he recently lauded his childhood school, Lakeside, and said he wanted a Lakeside experience for all kids. Don't we all, Bill, don't we all?)
Better education? Absolutely. But what is interesting is this idea that charters are so innovative and that we will