Bill Gates’s Double Standards and High Tech High K-12 Schools
Here is a good example of what I would call double standards relating to traditional public schools and charter schools–more specifically the High Tech High K-12 Schools.
High Tech High Charter Schools, computer/project driven schools, dot the landscape in California. They started out as one charter in 2000, run by San Diego business leaders and educators. Now there are four K-5 schools, four middle schools, and five high schools, many in the San Diego area. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has generously supported these schools. Mr. Gates loves them. Here is a video of Mr. and Mrs. Gates visiting one of the HTH high schools with Oprah in 2014.
What’s interesting is that the words Common Core are not found on the HTH school websites! Common Core is required by the State of California, so HTH schools will have to teach to the Core. And you can find information about their using the Common Core and even Smarter Balance testing on the internet–mostly starting with sixth grade. But they do not seem to be advertising it. If Common Core State Standards are so wonderful, why don’t these exclusive schools brag about them?
What do they advertise? Browse around the websites of the different schools HERE.Below I will share some statements from the various schools.
- Individualized attention. We are committed to providing an environment that emphasizes learning as an interactive process focusing on individual needs of students. Explorer Elem. Charter School.
- Teachers allowed to teach. Explorer teachers are reflective practitioners who create their own curriculum, weave together social, emotional, and intellectual learning. Explorer Elem. Charter School.
- Teaching to the Whole Child. This is mentioned here and there.
- Recess! On the elementary school websites they show elaborate playgrounds.Here are pictures of the new elementary and middle school including the playground showing what “kids do best.”
- The Arts. HTeCV students also take exploratory classes in Performing Arts, Engineering, and Visual Arts throughout the school year. High Tech Elem. Chula Vista.
- Less Testing. Students…are given traditional exams and tests sparingly. At High Tech elementary North County, the measure of accomplishment lies Bill Gates’s Double Standards and High Tech High K-12 Schools: