While I thank you for the kind words, and note that we have had our differences, I do agree that the “flip/flop” on charters is sad to see, and totally leaves special needs kids and struggling towns and cities to stare, in shock, with their mouths wide open.
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p>With all the problems in managoing the general fund, and lack of guts in revamping revenue, charters are NOT the answer because:
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p>1. The charter school funding formula bleeds local school districts, as currently constituted.
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p>2. Charter schools as currently set up can avoid educating special needs or high maintenance students.
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p>3. Movement away from in school nurses, librarians [computers are not a substitute] and parent involvement has in fact increased the need for so-called special education because schools are less able to accommodate multiple learning styles then they were in the 80s with these other disciplines & players available.
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p>4. Privatization has, in fact, lowered wages, increased turnover, and diminished accountability.
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p>Sweeping the current problems with our under-funded and rigid public-school model under a carpet labeled “charter schools” will further penalize any children who are not ready to move along the education conveyor belt like “normal” widgets.
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p>Hint: If Deval asked anyone first, it wasn’t parents of special needs kids, parents of slow maturing kids, or master teachers; maybe it was consultants and analysts for the companies who make money pitching conveyor belts [oops -Charter Schools].
While I thank you for the kind words, and note that we have had our differences, I do agree that the “flip/flop” on charters is sad to see, and totally leaves special needs kids and struggling towns and cities to stare, in shock, with their mouths wide open.
<
p>With all the problems in managoing the general fund, and lack of guts in revamping revenue, charters are NOT the answer because:
<
p>1. The charter school funding formula bleeds local school districts, as currently constituted.
<
p>2. Charter schools as currently set up can avoid educating special needs or high maintenance students.
<
p>3. Movement away from in school nurses, librarians [computers are not a substitute] and parent involvement has in fact increased the need for so-called special education because schools are less able to accommodate multiple learning styles then they were in the 80s with these other disciplines & players available.
<
p>4. Privatization has, in fact, lowered wages, increased turnover, and diminished accountability.
<
p>Sweeping the current problems with our under-funded and rigid public-school model under a carpet labeled “charter schools” will further penalize any children who are not ready to move along the education conveyor belt like “normal” widgets.
<
p>Hint: If Deval asked anyone first, it wasn’t parents of special needs kids, parents of slow maturing kids, or master teachers; maybe it was consultants and analysts for the companies who make money pitching conveyor belts [oops -Charter Schools].