Thursday, March 5, 2009
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
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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:
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.
"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.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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
"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
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
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
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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!
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!
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