Rep. Edward Lindsey, a co-sponsor of HR 1162, has been outspoken in his criticism of Dr. Barge, Georgia Superintendent of Schools, for to re-affirm the state's authority to charter public schools. In an email exchange between the two as reported on Maureen Downey's AJC blog, "Get Schooled," on August 17th, Lindsey mounts his computer on a soapbox and proclaims; "Therefore, I will let you stand with the status quo education bureaucracy. I will stand with the students and their parents who deserve better." Wow.
It's About the Lawyers
Too bad Tina Fey and Seth Meyers can't drop in for an SNL "Really?! Rep. Lindsey" segment. In my opinion, Rep. Lindsey, a lawyer, knows full well that HR 1162 is part of a legal game of chess between certain legislators, their "school choice" backers, and our local school boards and superintendents.
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled in May, 2011, that the previous Charter Commission, established by the legislature in 2008, was unconstitutional. The majority opinion in that case stated that local boards of education, as the "closest and most responsive to the taxpayers and parents of the children being educated should have the most authority over public education."
Charter school advocates and their backers want you, the voters, to correct what they view as the Georgia Supreme Court's error (legal eagles, read http://www.brightergeorgia.org/pdf/The_Need_for_a_Constitutional_Amendment_WHITE_PAPER.pdf). They want you to help them amend a pesky line in our constitution on page 61, Section V, Paragraph 1, which reads; "No independent school system shall hereafter be established."
HR 1162, if approved by you, will give the state the power to authorize, via a Charter Commission, and fund an independent system of charter schools. These state chartered special schools will be sanctioned by an appointed committee and you and local school boards will have no say in their location or operation. Tea Party where are you?
You might be interested to know that Rep. Lindsey is Chairperson of a Constitutional Amendment committee called Families for Better Public Schools. This committee hosted a dinner on August 1st at Bones in Buckhead - cost of entry - $1,000 per plate, $5,000 or $10,000 per sponsor. Hmmm - I wonder how many students and their families attended?
As a parent, I find Rep. Lindsey's condescending, bombastic tone towards Dr. Barge repugnant and alarming. Aren't they both public servants? Vote "NO" on HR 1162 - Reason 2 - it will allow the state to set up a separate school system unaccountable to the taxpayers. Please read the fine print - HR 1162 is a legal can of worms! This battle begs the question, "Who started it and why? To be continued.
Have you read the enacting legislation, HB 797? How precisely do you think it will help your situation in any way that you are not entitled to help yourself now. You can apply to the State BOE with a charter petition if you have organized a group of like minded parents and put together a good plan for their review that your local board has denied. You can also hire an EMO to run the charter school if you want to. Have you tried that yet? HR 1162 greases the skids for charter school operators to set up, without challenge, in any district, high-performing or not. That isn't education reform - that is an invasion. No one is entitled to deprive me of my rights to solve their problem - especially if there ARE solutions currently available. As one editor from Rome, GA wrote - HR 1162 is a Trojan Horse. We know what happens in that story so I say lets try not to repeat it.
My personal problem has been solved. I have remedied the situation for my own 2 children and they are blossoming in thriving gardens of education. I do personally wish to start a charter school. I am a Master's student in Early Childhood Education, an exhibited artist, and have a sincere interest in opening up quality education opportunities to those who have challenges in learning and/or socio-economic status. Truth be told, I would have really liked to have started a charter school for students with behavior challenges. I have significant experience in this area.
It is not fair that students and parents who ARE PAYING ATTENTION should be forced into a neighborhood school zone that debilitates their choices regarding the quality of education received. There MUST be more choices, Elizabeth, or certain weeds will strangles certain beautiful plants here in our garden. I envision a school that is a small community, similar to our local Montessori school. Quality, the arts, access to the outdoors, creative methods of instruction coupled with some project based learning. I can't get anywhere as an individual. Even as groups they will quell our efforts. It must come from outside this district.
Watch Patch for news of a school preparing to open that addresses students with autism, ADD, HDD, sensory integration problems, etc., and helps them thrive. It's going to be regional, and it's going to be fabulous. It has been in the making for seven years and has the support of local school officials. More to come as things unfold and it opens.
@Rebecca ~ that is really phenomenal news. Will it be a public or private entity?
Really? State charters have to follow the same curriculum and demands as any other school in GA. DIffrence is if they dont produce positve results they can be shut down, restructured. Can not do that to the traditional school. How is that considering that the tax payers are the ones who are asking for it in the first place. We have accountability we elect the local BOE, we elect our state reps... they get out of line you vote them out..
School are going to have to get leaner, and why not? everyone else has to cut back in the economy why not a school? School should adhere to the same market dynamics that all other business do. After all they do not work for free, or we would not have such a problem funding the students education.
There's a big difference and yes, HR 1162 will allow the state to set up a separate system of schools authorized by an APPOINTED commission. If you think you will have any say in what that school is or where it is located you are mistaken. Have you read the recent report in ED Week on how difficult it is to close down a charter school that either is not living up to it's charter or is not following written policy. Do you have any idea what went on at Fulton Science Academy and how much it cost you, if you live in Fulton County, to negotiate with their governing board for 6 months in order to not possibly be sued? If someone at a public school violates the law, they can be prosecuted. You do not have that authority with a charter school because they are a contractor. Have you read HB 797? If you want to write an appointed commission a blank check so the Walton Family Foundation can feel that their money was well spent in our state, go for it. I resent the fact that these foundations and "think tanks" are pushing their agenda on me and hiding behing the Georgia Charter School Association and about 8 other groups. If their ideas are so fabulous why don't you ask them to come out of hiding. If you don't know what I'm talking about - start doing some research. I know you have a computer!
I believe the state board of education is also appointed and you don’t seem to hold them in the same low regard. You even said the state BOE could approve charter petitions. Hmmm, I believe that’s what we call selective outrage. It is good to see that public school employees can be held accountable. Maybe somebody should tell the DA that he actually can prosecute Beverly Hall. Up until now I think he was under the impression that all he could do was exile her to Hawaii. I am sorry to hear of the trouble with Fulton Science Academy. I believe Fulton Science Academy is a charter school approved by the Fulton County School District board, not by any of the state entities. This should not reflect on the State Charter School Commission’s ability to close troubled charter schools. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the previous State Charter School Commission shut down 3 charter schools. Maybe that history could relieve some of your angst. Finally, speaking of blank checks, I notice there is not much in the way of taxpayer appreciation in your many blogs and comments. In deference to the taxpayer please educate me on what is the per student dollar amount that will produce college/career ready graduates and a dropout rate of less than 10%? (Feel free to provide a $minimum and $maximum that would produce the desired results). What should we be prepared to pay for student performance that is in the top 5 in the nation? Good day.
As you know money is one part of the equation not the main determinant of student performance. Any public school system should use public funds efficiently and wisely at all times.The fact that many have not is not a good reason to allow the state to expand it's constitutional powers via a charter commission which will be unaccountable to the taxpayers. How will HR 1162 address any of the existing problems we have with our local school boards? I have high regard for the GaDOE. Don't you think Dr. Barge's opinion on this issue should carry more weight than Rep. Lindsey's? Local Boards have the ability to authorize start-up charter schools. HB 797 is a blank check. The Charter Commissions charge is to "enhance" existing public school offerings with charter schools (code for EMO's) that can operate high quality schools that can be replicated. That is precisely what HB 797 says. How exactly will that nebulous goal improve the low performing public schools with low graduation rates. As the saying goes, "Past performance is no guarantee of future success." The former charter commission may have done an excellent job - that's not the point. If it's not in writing, a new one can do whatever they want.
You use the phrase “blank check”. Are you now concerned about excess spending on education? You hold a rather dynamic stance. I value Dr. Barge’s opinion. I value your opinion. I value Frank’s considerable opinion. I disagree with your viewpoint. I don’t share your concerns about the accountability of the Charter Commission. They can’t force students to attend nor can they force students to stay. It would look silly for the Commission to create a school where nobody attended. The Charter Commission will be just as accountable as the current State Board of Education. They will answer to the ones who appoint them and the ones that appoint them will answer to the voters. The Charter Schools they approve will be accountable to the State Charter Commission and to the parents that choose to attend.
From the Georgia School Board Association, an analysis of how the state will allocate additional funds to charters approved through this commission, which will mean fewer dollars available to local BOEs since the K-12 education budget will be, at best, budget neutral. http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/08/04/under-new-law-state-will-send-3-3-times-more-funds-per-child-to-state-charter-schools-than-local-systems/?cp=all#comments If you think this is NOT a Trojan horse, read the article about Louisiana, which Georgia Senate Majority Whip Chip Rogers wishes we could emulate yesterday. http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/07/18/is-louisiana-the-future-of-georgias-education-system/?cp=10
@Ms. Hooper: "Any public school system should use public funds efficiently and wisely at all times.The fact that many have not is not a good reason to allow the state to expand it's constitutional powers via a charter commission which will be unaccountable to the taxpayers." Well, what is it exactly that you suggest we as a community of parents and decision makers do? I'll try not to laugh my brains out through my nose as you suggest a dangerous situation where community leaders are unaccountable to the taxpayers. As a parent who has experienced the best in public education, some grievous incidents in public education, and an educator who has observed some heinous unprofessionalism in education, I will say, YET AGAIN, that some of us CAN'T LOSE - BECAUSE WE'RE ALREADY LOSING! The quality of services to OUR CHILDREN is fair at best in some schools, and the admins do NOTHING about it because of tenure and a lackadaisical attitude - "Sit down, shut up, and eat and drink what we give you." THE DAY FOR CHANGE HAS COME.
The only article that chilled me was the last link, by Jay Bookman. Yes, it disturbs met to think of the marriage of church and state to the degree that religious beliefs are being taught as science curriculum. It disturbs me greatly. However, if I had been unable to relocate my child last year, and had been stuck with the very unsatisfactory option of the public school for which I was zoned, I would have reconciled myself to the option of religious education for my child, as long as it included educators who worked well with children and provided him a better learning environment where he might actually be able to learn. Golly, if you looked at my child's math scores before we moved, you would think the kid was an idiot. Miraculously, after we moved, his grades improved all around. If the district had effectively confined me to that school and the grades had never improved, don't you THINK IT WOULD HAVE SOMEHOW BEEN MY FAULT AND MY KID'S RESPONSIBILITY THAT MY CHILD DIDN'T LEARN?? CHOICES - CHOICES - CHOICES - CHOICES - CHOICES NOW.
If you have a quality superintendent now, has there not been consideration of conversion charters in your system? I assume you are in Clarke County, which does seem ripe for opportunities to partner with groups to bring in extra resources with that route. Fulton actually has a number of conversion charter schools as well as start-ups. I think a majority of the schools in Sandy Springs converted to charter over the past several years. Dunwoody Springs was, for example, a lab school for Georgia State's School of Education. Athens is certainly in a prime spot to collaborate that way. With conversions, you already have the infrastructure in place so the effort to get that done isn't necessary and you can put your energy into positive changes (strong local school council, parent involvement contracts, school uniforms, business partner commitments, curricular enhancements, etc.). There may already be consideration of charter system status there, since systems have to opt for one of three choices soon. Ask your school board member; keep caring!