Proposed Mass. Education Bill Needs More Careful Evaluation

JALSA — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:47:54 +0000

Concerned with many aspects of a proposed complex education reform bill that moved through the State Senate on a very fast track, JALSA has sent the following letter to the Boston Globe concentrating on the specific privatization implications of the bill.

The proposed Massachusetts Education Reform Act, in a change from current law, would allow education management companies to run networks or chains of charter schools in several cities, under a single board of trustees. In fact, the state board of education would be required to give preference to applicants seeking to run multiple schools, a complete contradiction from the original claim that charter schools would be “grassroots” organizations. Given the spotty record in Massachusetts of corporate-run charter schools – many of their contracts have been terminated for poor performance – this provision in the Senate bill, now pending in the House, is a troubling retreat from local control and accountability. Also, the Senate proposal expands the number of years from five to ten such charter schools can operate without a renewal of their charter, further decreasing public oversight.

The diversion of significant public funds to these schools further exasperates the financial plight of our public urban schools and the children who need the most services. Because the Mass. funding mechanism for charters has been sympathetic to the needs of charters, more money per student has been made available to charters than has been the case for students in traditional public schools (for example, no need to pay retired teachers with any portion of their funds). The result is less money left for the majority of students who will continue to attend traditional public schools.

Sheila Decter

Response to Governor’s Charter School Interest

andyoram — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:31:01 +0000

Letter submitted to the Boston Globe
With a faltering economy compounding the woes of struggling families and students (and the schools that serve them), Governor Patrick’s newfound faith in charter schools is deeply troubling (”Test scores drove charter decision,” July 17. Despite considerable hype, charters are unproven, leaky vessels that are unlikely to reach the promised land of educational excellence and equity. Worse, they divert scarce resources from schools that serve the neediest students and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

There is scant evidence, though much ideology, behind the notion of charter school superiority. The overall record shows charters do not outperform traditional public schools serving similar students. Moreover, some of the most highly praised charter schools lose most of their students between freshman and senior year (then claim 100% college going rates for the small fraction who remain). Where do they go? They either drop out or return to district schools.

This may produce the illusion of closing achievement gaps or “leaving no
child behind,” but now is the time for real solutions, not illusions.

Sheila Decter
Executive Director
JALSA – the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action

Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action » Charter Schools

Proposed Mass. Education Bill Needs More Careful Evaluation

Response to Governor’s Charter School Interest