Charter VS Public School

St. Louis Hosts the 2009 CHESS U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2009 U.S. Chess Championship will be held right here in St. Louis! The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis will host the tournament from May 7 -17 with more than $200,000 in prize money on the table for the top players throughout the country!

The CWE venue distinguishes itself by providing schools the resources to develop scholastic chess endeavors. The center was founded by retired investment fund manager Rex Sinquefield, a philanthropist advocate for education reform.

To find more information about the Championship, including FREE tickets and competitor’s bios click here.

DEED RESTRICTION ENDS!

DEED RESTRICTION IS OVER! The Special Administrative Board voted yesterday to remove the clause. Sadly the policy does not go into effect until June 30, which will hurt those charter schools hoping to open for next school year. But this is definitely a victory for the people!

“This is a win for families in St. Louis who are seeking better education options for their children and for all of the taxpayers in the city who paid for these buildings," said Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri State Coordinator Earl Simms. "These buildings can now be sold to organizations seeking to open public charter schools. That not only gives more education options to parents, but the sale of these buildings will also provide more dollars to educate the district’s students.”

CEAM has been a strong advocate for this issue.

Speak Out Until They Listen: Deed Restriction Battle Continues

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch draws attention to the fact that many community organizations are refusing to give-up on the deed restriction issue until the St. Louis Public School board allows charter schools to buy their abandon buildings.

Here is another video from the Children’s Education Council of Missouri.

More on OPEN ENROLLMENT

Michael Podgursky in the NY Times

Missouri economist Michael Podgursky, who focuses his studies on teachers, was cited in the New York Time article.

Check it out

Sinquefield Sues to End Deed Restriction

Education advocate Rex Sinquefield sued the St. Louis Public school district to end the ridiculous deed restriction policy. It is inspiring for our community and our children to see passionate leaders actively giving a voice and standing up to the absurd policies the SLPS wanted to keep hidden. Preventing charter schools to start and flourish is putting a monopoly on education in this city.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Coverage

Education Issues go Beyond Party Lines

An standing-ovation goes to those bravely crossing party lines to fight bi-partisanly for our children and their education. Democratic Senator Jeff Smith had been fighting (despite point-blank threats from his own party and the teacher unions) for merit pay and open enrollment in St. Louis schools. (Open enrollment means allowing students to move from one public school district to another.)

There are "some wonderful teachers trying to effect change," Smith said. "Unfortunately, I also met people who were just punching the clock toward retirement. The quality was uneven. The systems didn't work. It made me want to do something different."

For years, legislative efforts to reform public school districts in Missouri have stalled, despite the unfortunate trends in school statistics--specifically in urban areas. It is going to take more bold leaders, like Senator Smith, to make real progress.

"I don't think we can afford to be consumed by ideology," he says. "I think we need to find out what works and do it."

For more on the story, check out this article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Open Enrollment Bill

Obama on Education: Charter Schools & Merit Pay

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story

President Obama urged for sweeping changes in his first education speech on Tuesday.

"I call on states to reform their charter rules, and lift caps on the number of allowable charter schools, wherever such caps are in place."

Missouri law currently limits their locations to only St. Louis and Kansas City. Furthermore, he said recently in his budget message that he hoped to double financing for charter schools eventually, and that the Department of Education would help create "new, high-quality charter schools" while supporting the closing of those guilty of "chronic underperformance."

He also called for merit pay.

"Good teachers will be rewarded with more money for improved student achievement, and asked to accept more responsibilities for lifting up their schools...treating teachers like the professionals they are, while also holding them more accountable."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story

Senate Bill Proposed Ending Deed Restriction

A bill was proposed in the Missouri Senate concerning the deed restriction issue that is outraging the St. Louis community.

This act prohibits a board of education or the special administrative board of a school district from placing a restrictive covenant in a deed that prohibits the use of real property as a school providing instruction for grades kindergarten through twelve. In addition, any restrictive covenant on real property previously operated as a public school in any deed that has been filed in the office of the recorder of deeds will be void and unenforceable.

"School buildings belong to the community."

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated in an interview with the Washington Post:

"School buildings don't belong to us. They don't belong to the unions. School buildings belong to the community."

The statement is extremely relevant to the St. Louis Public School deed restriction issue. The public school board and unions need to listen to the outcries of the community.

The current deed restriction is ethically, economically and logically absurd! And those living in the areas with closed/closing schools and even the U.S. Education Secretary publicly agree.

Bill Proposed Ending Deed Restriction

A bill was proposed in Jefferson City addressing the ridiculous St. Louis Public School deed restriction policy that has the community outraged. It would allow these buildings, that were publicly funded and built for education, to be sold to charter and private schools.

But the bigger question this newscast begs: is the teacher's union really fighting for more vacant buildings in St. Louis? It is absolutely mind-blowing that local 420 and other activists are so selfishly opposed to providing proper education close to home. Maybe if they spent the same time and energy educating our children, as they do actively supporting absurd policies that hurt our community, then maybe they wouldn't feel so threatened by parent's actually being allowed to choose the best school for their children. Abandon buildings only lead to trouble, everyone knows that. Oh, and Charter Schools ARE public schools.

KSDK: Video & story

Obama Recognizes Charter Schools as a Key to the Foundation of Future Prosperity

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools President and CEO Nelson Smith issued the following statement yesterday:

"Although the exact numbers will not be known until April, we're pleased to see President Obama follow through on campaign promises by including an expansion of federal support for public charter schools in the FY2010 budget released today. Here and in his address to Congress Tuesday night, the President has emphasized that despite tough fiscal times, high-quality charter schools deserve increased support - indeed, that they are one of the keys to laying a firm foundation for future prosperity. We will work with the Administration and Congress to ensure that the new funding is paired with conscientious and evenhanded accountability for performance.

There is much else to applaud. The budget brief calls for increased transparency around results for teacher and principal preparation programs - a position that mirrors our call for charter leadership programs whose performance is measured by student results.

Increased support for 'school systems and nonprofit organizations with
demonstrated track records of success in raising student achievement' will allow high-performing, gap-closing charters to serve more of the 350,000 students now on waiting lists around the country.

Finally, the budget statement includes an important commitment to research 'promising educational innovations that focus on improving student learning and achievement.' While there have been several outstanding studies released recently, overall there has been a notable fall-off in research on charter schooling in the past few years. We trust that this new support will foster a new round of rigorous, high-quality studies, especially in states that have large charter populations but little current research of value.

Public charter schools have earned widespread bi-partisan support as a result of their success, and consequently we hope that Congress will join with President Obama in supporting this enhanced level of funding."

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. Currently, more than 1.4 million students attend 4,600 public charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Over 1,000 schools have opened in the past three years.

5 Stars—where it counts

What do parents have to say about St. Louis Charter Schools? Here’s some five-star reviews:

"My children transferred here from STL Public Schools. This is the best school! The teachers and administrators are all very positive and caring to the kids and also to the parents. My children LOVE this school and their teachers! It's SO much better than where they were. My kids are thriving here and I am so grateful that I heard about it."

“My daughter has attended this school since 2003 and it is a wonderful school!”


What about the currently unaccredited St. Louis Public School District schools? Here is a one star-review from a Mann Elementary School parent:

“I was warned about city public schools and so far Mann has lived up to almost everywhere predicted nightmare. My kids are constantly harassed, beat up, chased home; the school bus comes some days and some days it does not; the days it comes, it comes late. Despite meetings with the principal and parent liaison, these issues have not been resolved. My special needs daughter has been left outside unsupervised, glasses broken, coat lost or stolen at school. I'm at my wits' end as to know what to do next. I'm so disgusted with the way they've been mishandled that when winter break is over, I hope to have them transferred to a new school because it does not seem as if this solution can be resolved. I feel like I'm being blown off to a certain extent because I'm up to the school so much. What to do?”

Though the statics tell the same story, it is important to remember what is really at stake with school choice reform.

Check out how your school rates:
GreatSchools.net
AND
SchoolMatters.com

Missouri School Board Censors Spending from the Public

The Columbia Daily Tribune reported an attempt of the Missouri School Board to keep spending answers from the public.

It is a right entitled by every taxpayer to know how education money is being used. Any questions from anyone should be able to be addressed at any time (especially at the Missouri School Boards' Association's annual forum!).

The command for vague answers and avoidance only makes it seem that they have something to hide when it comes to spending.

As a public institution, it is even in their job description to keep the public informed. Especially when it comes to the sensitive issue of money, and especially in these poor economic times. More importantly, many schools across the state continually fail to meet acceptable standards, despite any funding increase. So if it is not helping to educate our children, then where is the money going?

This is a very serious and disturbing issue of transparency and openness, which can only lead to increasing distrust. Schools need accountability in all aspects, especially in spending.

St. Louis will NOT stand for current SLPS deed restriction

The outrage at the ridiculous St. Louis Public School deed restriction policy continues to grow.

Coverage from the River Front Times

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story

Jefferson City and school board members are going to HAVE to face this absurd policy. The St. Louis community is refusing to accept the teacher union's selfish lack of concern for our children. Charter schools offer the proper education our children need and the abandon old school buildings offer the ideal space.

SLPS Deed Restriction Video

The outrageous deed restrictions policy enacted by the St. Louis Public Schools is unacceptable! It prohibits buyers of closed school buildings to reopen them as schools. This is an obvious attempt to kill competition from charter schools. The policy also defeats the intended use of these taxpayer funded buildings, for educating the City’s children. Not to mention, it leaves buildings abandon. The community will NOT stand for this ridiculous and selfish move by the SLPS!

Video Produced by: Children's Education Alliance of Missouri (CEAM)

YouTube Link

Children's Education Alliance of Missouri 2009 Conference

The Children's Education Alliance of Missouri (CEAM) held their annual conference yesterday. During the unification of the many important groups and individuals, three specific points became extremely obvious.

1. Serious improvements in Missouri's schools is absolutely necessary. Research statistics citing statewide school failures, along with heartbreaking personal experiences, proved the fight for our children and our communities is more then worth it!

2. There is no quick fix. Numerous proven reforms were discussed, including merit pay and school choice. For example, the expansion of charter schools--through ending ridiculous deed restrictions, allowing charter schools throughout the entire state and supporting more charter schools in St. Louis and Kansas City.

3. It will not be an easy fight. There are many misconceptions when it comes to the details of and connotations associated with these reforms. The public needs to learn what these reforms really mean and the research that supports them. Furthermore, though it is unjustifiable, there are still some that cling to the status quo (and who probably have a lot to do with the widespread public misunderstanding). These groups and individuals have proven powerful, and will do almost anything to hold on to this undeserved power (with no mind of our children). Public misunderstandings coupled with powerful self-interested groups will definitely prove a tough opponent!

Committed to Education

Sean Nichols is principal of the Fresh Start Academy, an alternative St. Louis high school that welcomes back students 17-21 who have dropped out. It is extremely inspiring to see the focus shifted back to the children and the passionate commitment to education.

The one-year program geared exclusively toward preparing for the GED examination provides new hope for the shockingly increasing number of drop outs in the St. Louis area.

"These kids have been surrounded by poverty and violence and people who may love them but lack resources to help them," he said. "Most left school because they felt defeated and could not take another blow."

"They crave access to people who care about them and can help them," he said.

Mr. Nichols sees good teachers as the key to helping these children. He recruits teachers who understand that these are kids who need special help, sometimes in the evening or on a weekend, teachers willing to work "beyond the job description."

Though it is important to also support education reforms to decrease the number of drop outs in the first place, keep up the good work and commitment to education!

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story

Education Expert on MERIT PAY for KC

Proven extremely unsuccessful compared to the performance of other school districts across the country (and the world), the Kansas City school district is in need of serious reform.

Last Thursday Eric Hanushek, an expert on education policy, began a "What Works in Urban Education" series at the KC public library.

The conclusion: MERIT PAY is the answer!

Though Missouri ranked in the 51st percentile nationally for standardized testing, urban schools were performing significantly worse than the state as a whole. As anyone at these schools can testify, many problems (included high dropout rates, performance problems and ineffective, over-budgeted spending) plague the urban districts.

Many try to point to funding, however Hanushek points out: "It is no longer that the suburban districts are spending way more than urban schools." Out of 500 urban U.S. school districts, Kansas City ranked 54th highest for spending. So the real issue is spending this money wisely.

"We must recognize the importance of good teachers, and reward them," Hanushek said. "Everyone from the principals to the parents to the children knows who the good teachers are and who the bad teachers are. We need to get rid of the bad ones."

An increase in funding for teachers across the country has meant an increase for every teacher, not just the good ones. And, by definition, merit pay will correct this!

Improve the structure and they will stay

CHARTER SCHOOL VIDEO

Children's Education Alliance of Missouri

Charter school video start of school-choice movement this year
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch Coverage)

Activists Send Obama Messages on Education

A letter published in the Wall Street Journal, asked Obama to support charter schools and performance pay structures as a way to close the education achievement gap between minority and white students.

"In the afterglow of your election, Americans today run the risk of forgetting that the nation still faces one last great civil-rights battle: closing the insidious achievement gap between minority and white students. Public education is supposed to be the great equalizer in America. Yet today the average 12th-grade black or Hispanic student has the reading, writing and math skills of an eighth-grade white student."

"What can you and your administration do to close the achievement gap? Beyond expanding federal support for charter schools, as you have proposed, we would urge you to press forward with other policy reforms. The federal government should take most of the more than $30 billion it now spends on K-12 education and reposition the funding to support the recruitment and retention of the best teachers in underserved urban schools. High-poverty urban schools have many teachers who make heroic efforts to educate their students. But there is no reward for excellence in inner-city schools when an outstanding science teacher earns the same salary as a mediocre phys-ed instructor."


WSJ Full Letter from the Black Alliance for Educational Options

School Choice --> Effective Educators --> Less Drop Outs

Last year, more than one in every five kids enrolled in St. Louis Public Schools high schools dropped out!

Some educators are simply failing to inspire children to invest in education. It is no surprise that kids at risk of dropping out are more likely to complete school if their teacher cares for them, spends with them and encourages them to work toward a future. Missouri needs an education reform that supports these teachers.

By using competition through paternal choice (whether through charter schools or tax credits for scholarship donations), schools will no longer be able to settle for sub-par educators. Every teacher and administrator will be held accountable for their performance.

Good educators should undoubtedly support these reforms, as it will ensure they are rewarded for their hard work. Poor educators, however, should be worried. They will not be able to continue to fail our children and our community without consequence.

Effective educators are the key to improving the unfortunate dropout statistics. And effective educators come from school choice.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Blog: Soft Bigotry Fuels High School Drop Outs