1ºI was the product of a K through 12 Charter School and agree with this decision. They now have three operational schools and are planning to open up more. I always had an issue as I knew they had a lot of leftover money left in the coffers that they were just sitting on. Public schools, (particularly in Philadelphia) make me glad I went to a charter school that millions of parents go through a lottery just to secure limited spots. I don't know if just throwing money will fix the public education system, but it's clear something needs to change.
2ºMy daughter goes to a public charter school: meaning it’s a charter school in the public school system. It’s designated as a charter because it’s a language immersion school. Since all subjects are taught in mandarin or Spanish they need flexibility when it comes to curriculum and hiring staff that would not fit under the mainstream requirements. This school(Denver language school) is free to all children that live in Denver. Any child can apply, albiet the School is so successful it’s now a lottery system. Denver public schools is now opening a French immersion school due to demand. There is a private language school in Denver that costs $20,000+ per year. The public charter school give kids access to language immersion that could not afford it. We love our charter language school. My daughter has teachers and students from all over the world. The student body is diverse: in race, culture, neurodiverse, and socio-economic background. This school is the definition of creating life long global learners. Why should funding be cut for such a school?
3ºI’m in Chicago. I went to catholic schools and my husband went to both public and private. I send 3 of my children to public school (CPS) and my 4th one is in a charter high school because the CPS public high school by me is so bad I don’t even know how it is still open. The school has been bad long before charters even existed. I would love to see a system where the tax money follows the child. Wherever they may go be it public, charter, private, or catholic. Let the parents have school choice. There are several public grammar schools in and near my neighborhood that I would choose over any private school in my neighborhood however high school is a different story.
4ºSo, basically what we are finding out is that Charter Schools are doing more than what Public ran schools are and getting better results all while staying within their budget. When the US didn’t have the Department of Education we were one of the best education systems in the world…..since we have had the Department of Education we have declined consistently even while throwing more money at education.
Kind of makes you wonder why. Throwing money at education isn’t the answer (although this would help underfunded school systems). We need to get children and parents to CARE about education….everyone. Only then will you see improvement again.