This week, the newly re-formed and reconfigured Charter Authorizing Panel was hard at work reviewing and voting on charter proposals for schools around the state. As the singers used to say back in the 1960s, and as Arkansas' motto suggests this very day, power to the people, who should rule. Especially when it comes to education.
Charter schools are the best innovation to come along in public schools in a generation. There's a reason why so many families are on waiting lists to get into them. Not for nothing are parents lining up around the block.
Take, for one example, the Einstein Group Inc., which plans to open a charter in the former Garland school in Little Rock: The papers say that outfit operates four schools in New Orleans and serves 1,400 some-odd kids down there. Of which 92 percent are poor. These folks aren't in the business of syphoning off the wealthiest kids from the richest ZIP codes. Which is why they want to open a charter in the Garland school on West 25th Street in Little Rock.
What does the school hope to do? Well, for starters, it hopes to replicate its success in New Orleans. The test scores have come back and 100 percent of the school's end-of-year algebra I test-takers scored proficient over several years. Oh, what some of Little Rock's schools wouldn't give for that!
The Einstein Group is just one outfit looking to open a new charter in Arkansas. Several organizations were on the panel's agenda this week. (After the Charter Authorizing Panel, the proposed charter schools have to get the permission of the Board of Education before they can open.)
But 100 percent proficient or no 100 percent proficient, there will be opposition in some quarters.
Michael Poore, the superintendent of Little Rock's schools, went before the authorizing panel this week to explain his objections, sort of. He said, in part, that the traditional school district has plenty of seats available.
Wonder why?
Could it be, in part, that a lot of families are trying to get out of the district's traditional schools? And, if they have the means, those families move to Conway or Benton or Sherwood? Or maybe send their children to private schools. Or, if they are lucky, are chosen by lottery to sit in one of those coveted charter school seats. The superintendent, and others like him, often sound as though their main focus is on a district instead of the students.
Here is part of Michael Poore's statement to the authorizing panel:
"I've had numerous people in front of me, as well as folks who are behind me and those who are out in the community, state to me over the last 12 months: Mike, tell us what we can do. Tell us how we can help and support you as we go through trying to make the Little Rock public schools the public school district we really want it to be." He also told the panel: "You as an authorizing panel have the opportunity right now in my mind to help us. If we add additional seats into the mix right now, you are creating a situation that is going to create greater turmoil within this community. You are going to create a situation that makes it more challenging for us to move forward with some of the efforts that we are doing to turn it around."
We didn't hear the word "money" in that statement, but this is about money. It always is when it comes to charters.
If the superintendent really wants to know how Little Rock's public schools can be what we really want them to be, here are some suggestions: Stop opposing charter schools. And begin competing with them. Maybe even surpass them. Make the traditional schools so much better that parents begin taking pride in neighborhood schools again. Remove some of the red tape and paperwork and allow teachers to teach (as they do at charters). Recognize the best teachers, pay them for their success, and get rid of those sleepwalking to retirement (as they do at charters). Focus on the students and their achievements, not on buildings or central offices or this thing called a "district" (as they do at charters).
How is educating children in the best possible way creating turmoil within the community? It would seem to some of us that that approach would have the exact opposite effect.
Come, let us reason together. And make our kids--and their futures--the top priority.
The authorizing panel didn't approve every charter application. It's not a rubber stamp. This week it did reject several schools, and not by close votes, either.
This shows the Charter Authorizing Panel is doing its job--selecting the best applications and rejecting the weaker ones that members think will have a tough time living up to the charter.
The whole system--this whole new system--is looking like it's working better than in the past, by removing more political considerations and concentrating on the quality of the charter applicants. In time, our children will thank us.
Editorial on 08/18/2017