Comments on: The Charter Challenge http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:46:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: John Doe http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66716 John Doe Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:54:07 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66716 <i>The recent definitive studies proving charter school racism (bit.ly/8RRuaZ)</i> Bull. That wasn't a "study" at all, just a "report" from diehard charter opponents. What's more, they provide absolutely no evidence of racism in charter schools; they merely insinuate, on the basis of next to nothing, that charter schools are segregative because they serve so many black kids. Next up from the stupid brigade: food stamps are racist, because so many black people use them. The recent definitive studies proving charter school racism (bit.ly/8RRuaZ)

Bull. That wasn’t a “study” at all, just a “report” from diehard charter opponents. What’s more, they provide absolutely no evidence of racism in charter schools; they merely insinuate, on the basis of next to nothing, that charter schools are segregative because they serve so many black kids.

Next up from the stupid brigade: food stamps are racist, because so many black people use them.

]]> By: nik25 http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66714 nik25 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:46:16 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66714 Do me a favor, learn what a lecture is, because that certainly wasn't one-it was me just posting some thoughts. Anyway, don't bother to try to come up with some clever response, because I won't be reading it. Do me a favor, learn what a lecture is, because that certainly wasn’t one-it was me just posting some thoughts. Anyway, don’t bother to try to come up with some clever response, because I won’t be reading it.

]]> By: Jack Israel http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66713 Jack Israel Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:36:07 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66713 I have to say I firmly agree with Anthony Wansor assertion that District Reps should be elected not appointed. Why wouldn't that be a good idea Leo? Do we have an action plan on how to save the large schools that are being screwed by the grading policy?????? Peace I have to say I firmly agree with Anthony Wansor assertion that District Reps should be elected not appointed. Why wouldn’t that be a good idea Leo?

Do we have an action plan on how to save the large schools that are being screwed by the grading policy??????
Peace

]]> By: Anthony Wansor http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66710 Anthony Wansor Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:12:33 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66710 Nik25. Do me a favor. Give me a lecture on what is fair after you have spent ten years in some of the toughest schools schools on the face of the earth. Nik25. Do me a favor. Give me a lecture on what is fair after you have spent ten years in some of the toughest schools schools on the face of the earth.

]]> By: nik25 http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66707 nik25 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:57:18 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66707 As a graduate student preparing and planning to teach in NYC, I have studied the charter school/traditional public school debate. I have read a great deal on the subject, including blogs like these. The issues that seem to come up the most are how charters do not support teacher unions, how charters are biased and take resources away, and the conflicting findings regarding student progress and performance. These concerns are indeed valid. There have been many negative situations in which we see the charter schools not supporting unions, taking resources and may be being biased. In addition, we have all heard about controversial reports from educational writer Linda Renzulli, and more recently, the Hoxby report. However, there have been positives strides, as well. For instance, Green Dot has signed an agreement with the UFT and in Chicago, teachers of the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff ratified their first contract recently. While there may be a long way to go for other teachers of charters, these serve as examples of things going in the right direction. While I do support charters and what they stand for ideologically, I also believe teachers, like any other workers, do need protection. Not feeling secure at one’s place of employment can have negative effects, and these are negative effects that can directly or indirectly hurt our children and their education. Secondly, as I have studied, there have been numerous incidents in which charter schools sharing space has caused conflict with the neighboring school and the community. Students who have to share space may not have full access to the school’s resources and overcrowding can be an issue as well. Charter schools aim to solve these issues, but people argue that this will only further the disintegration and extinction of traditional public schools. However, I feel that the public benefits from both types of schools. Each has a purpose and a place, and I am sure that most parents appreciate having several schools to choose from within their community. But the issue is not that the charter school is 100 percent responsible for taking resources away. The problem is that not enough money or attention is given to traditional public schools. If both types of institutions were funded equally and securely, would we really be having so many issues over space and resources? Just because the charters are “newer” doesn’t mean they are better. As long as a school is open and is serving kids, then attention is needed. However, this is where the controversies of testing come into play. Why is it that there are no reports that are deemed reliable after all this time? I suppose there are just too many differing factors; the fact that charters are smaller and have newer resources, and both types of schools have differences in classes, testing, and to an extent, parental involvement. Finally, one of the most prominent arguments made against charter sis that they are biased. According to Renzulli, charters encourage segregation as opposed to integration. Also, authors Hursh and Lipman who wrote about he Ren10 in Chicago, feel the building of charters encourages gentrification. This may be true, because their writing had to do investors, markets and neoliberalism. However, what wasn’t taken into account was that charters open their doors to students some schools do not want to take, such as special needs students and ELL students. These students, whose option to get a high quality education was believed to only be at a private school, can achieve success for a far greater cost a charter schools aimed at specifically helping them and their specific needs. For instance, the Goldberg Opportunity Charter School in NYC. In addition, in the case of the soon to open Frank McCourt Charter School in Manhattan’s upper West side, the parents may be the one’s causing a bias. Because the families in the community fought so hard for the school to be built, they want their community (District 13) to be given priority when it comes to admissions. This is understandable, since it is their neighborhood and they did fight for the school. However, if the school isn’t open to all of NYC’s students, then is that fair? In addition, wouldn’t that also create a homogenous environment? Schools should take community into account, because it may be the most convenient choice for the parent and also because communities want to empower themselves to provide that positive environment. However, when priorities are being handed out, that is when the controversies begin again. I close by saying that it is a shame that there are so many tensions and arguments concerning charters and traditional public schools. However, that is reality. However, the other reality is that as long as both schools exist, there needs to be more cooperation. Creating more tensions is only going to hurt the quality of the education in the long run, as people will become jaded. There needs to be more community awareness and parental and student involvement. If the community has more of an involvement, I believe that at least some of the present problems can be eased. We must care for the education of all of our children, at all types of schools. It is only fair to them. As a graduate student preparing and planning to teach in NYC, I have studied the charter school/traditional public school debate. I have read a great deal on the subject, including blogs like these. The issues that seem to come up the most are how charters do not support teacher unions, how charters are biased and take resources away, and the conflicting findings regarding student progress and performance. These concerns are indeed valid. There have been many negative situations in which we see the charter schools not supporting unions, taking resources and may be being biased. In addition, we have all heard about controversial reports from educational writer Linda Renzulli, and more recently, the Hoxby report. However, there have been positives strides, as well.
For instance, Green Dot has signed an agreement with the UFT and in Chicago, teachers of the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff ratified their first contract recently. While there may be a long way to go for other teachers of charters, these serve as examples of things going in the right direction. While I do support charters and what they stand for ideologically, I also believe teachers, like any other workers, do need protection. Not feeling secure at one’s place of employment can have negative effects, and these are negative effects that can directly or indirectly hurt our children and their education.
Secondly, as I have studied, there have been numerous incidents in which charter schools sharing space has caused conflict with the neighboring school and the community. Students who have to share space may not have full access to the school’s resources and overcrowding can be an issue as well. Charter schools aim to solve these issues, but people argue that this will only further the disintegration and extinction of traditional public schools. However, I feel that the public benefits from both types of schools. Each has a purpose and a place, and I am sure that most parents appreciate having several schools to choose from within their community. But the issue is not that the charter school is 100 percent responsible for taking resources away. The problem is that not enough money or attention is given to traditional public schools. If both types of institutions were funded equally and securely, would we really be having so many issues over space and resources? Just because the charters are “newer” doesn’t mean they are better. As long as a school is open and is serving kids, then attention is needed. However, this is where the controversies of testing come into play. Why is it that there are no reports that are deemed reliable after all this time? I suppose there are just too many differing factors; the fact that charters are smaller and have newer resources, and both types of schools have differences in classes, testing, and to an extent, parental involvement.
Finally, one of the most prominent arguments made against charter sis that they are biased. According to Renzulli, charters encourage segregation as opposed to integration. Also, authors Hursh and Lipman who wrote about he Ren10 in Chicago, feel the building of charters encourages gentrification. This may be true, because their writing had to do investors, markets and neoliberalism. However, what wasn’t taken into account was that charters open their doors to students some schools do not want to take, such as special needs students and ELL students. These students, whose option to get a high quality education was believed to only be at a private school, can achieve success for a far greater cost a charter schools aimed at specifically helping them and their specific needs. For instance, the Goldberg Opportunity Charter School in NYC. In addition, in the case of the soon to open Frank McCourt Charter School in Manhattan’s upper West side, the parents may be the one’s causing a bias. Because the families in the community fought so hard for the school to be built, they want their community (District 13) to be given priority when it comes to admissions. This is understandable, since it is their neighborhood and they did fight for the school. However, if the school isn’t open to all of NYC’s students, then is that fair? In addition, wouldn’t that also create a homogenous environment? Schools should take community into account, because it may be the most convenient choice for the parent and also because communities want to empower themselves to provide that positive environment. However, when priorities are being handed out, that is when the controversies begin again.
I close by saying that it is a shame that there are so many tensions and arguments concerning charters and traditional public schools. However, that is reality. However, the other reality is that as long as both schools exist, there needs to be more cooperation. Creating more tensions is only going to hurt the quality of the education in the long run, as people will become jaded. There needs to be more community awareness and parental and student involvement. If the community has more of an involvement, I believe that at least some of the present problems can be eased. We must care for the education of all of our children, at all types of schools. It is only fair to them.

]]> By: Anthony Wansor http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66702 Anthony Wansor Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:23:38 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66702 And then we shall see who needs the antacids more. And then we shall see who needs the antacids more.

]]> By: Anthony Wansor http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66701 Anthony Wansor Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:22:21 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66701 I changed my mind Leo. I think I will say something more. As to whether the employees at Green Dot will share my views or not...we'll see Leo. In a year, maybe even less, you will most likely be eating crow on that one as well. I changed my mind Leo. I think I will say something more.

As to whether the employees at Green Dot will share my views or not…we’ll see Leo.

In a year, maybe even less, you will most likely be eating crow on that one as well.

]]> By: Robert D. Skeels http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66700 Robert D. Skeels Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:16:37 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66700 "Finally, when I see accusations of racism loosely used without any supporting evidence..." Given that I provided links to four different sources, one a published UCLA study, another a court appointed modified consent decree report, I'm not sure how these very real concerns are lacking evidence. Did you read the bit.ly links I provided, particularly the first two? The evidence I provided from the Los Angeles Times and CSU system don't count as evidence in the public realm? I'd understand if I had made broad generalizations, but I provided precise, documented statistics. I can provide a great deal more, and al l of them in line with the Stanford CREDO, and University of Arizona findings. Not to discount your own experience with Green Dot, but you are the first person outside of the Broad Foundation or the LA Times Editorial staff I've ever heard say anything positive about them. Maybe they were putting on a good face to get their foot in the door in New York. Here in Los Angeles, pariah would be too kind a term to describe both public and union sentiment towards Barr's empire. “Finally, when I see accusations of racism loosely used without any supporting evidence…”

Given that I provided links to four different sources, one a published UCLA study, another a court appointed modified consent decree report, I’m not sure how these very real concerns are lacking evidence. Did you read the bit.ly links I provided, particularly the first two? The evidence I provided from the Los Angeles Times and CSU system don’t count as evidence in the public realm? I’d understand if I had made broad generalizations, but I provided precise, documented statistics. I can provide a great deal more, and al l of them in line with the Stanford CREDO, and University of Arizona findings.

Not to discount your own experience with Green Dot, but you are the first person outside of the Broad Foundation or the LA Times Editorial staff I’ve ever heard say anything positive about them. Maybe they were putting on a good face to get their foot in the door in New York. Here in Los Angeles, pariah would be too kind a term to describe both public and union sentiment towards Barr’s empire.

]]> By: Leo Casey http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66699 Leo Casey Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:39:00 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66699 Anthony: Since the UFT is a democratic union, all of the members we represent have the right to ratify or vote down the contract they work under. The Green Dot NY teachers overwhelmingly ratified the contract governing their school. I don't think they share your views -- or your stomach pains. Anthony:

Since the UFT is a democratic union, all of the members we represent have the right to ratify or vote down the contract they work under. The Green Dot NY teachers overwhelmingly ratified the contract governing their school. I don’t think they share your views — or your stomach pains.

]]> By: Anthony http://www.edwize.org/the-charter-challenge/comment-page-1#comment-66698 Anthony Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:03:19 +0000 http://www.edwize.org/?p=5559#comment-66698 I have got a simple idea for you Leo. Let the membership speak to whether they want the so-called protections under the Green Dot Contract or keep the protection they currently have now. Even better, ask the principals which contract they would prefer to work under. Seriously Leo, I doubt any of the wonks at the UFT offices these days even know what the rank and file think anymore. Perhaps if went back to electing our District Representatives instead of them be selected by the union leadership they would know how we think and feel. Last word for you Leo because I do not think I can stomach much more of the nonsense coming out of your blog. I have got a simple idea for you Leo.

Let the membership speak to whether they want the so-called protections under the Green Dot Contract or keep the protection they currently have now.

Even better, ask the principals which contract they would prefer to work under.

Seriously Leo, I doubt any of the wonks at the UFT offices these days even know what the rank and file think anymore. Perhaps if went back to electing our District Representatives instead of them be selected by the union leadership they would know how we think and feel.

Last word for you Leo because I do not think I can stomach much more of the nonsense coming out of your blog.

]]>