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Advice for ParentsCharter a course toward solid education
By Leanna
Landsmann
Q: We're exploring
charter schools for our middle-school son. We read good and bad stories about
charter schools, yet we like what we hear about two in our district. How can we
get a real fix on the teaching and curriculum quality if they've been open only
a short time?
A: Charter schools evolved in the early '90s to free some
public schools from rules and regulations in exchange for increased levels of
accountability. Founders are teachers, parents, education activists or private
companies that have a vision for student success they want to implement. They
apply for a "charter" from an authorizing entity that varies by state.
That authority is responsible for monitoring the school's progress. There are
more than 4,100 charter schools in the country. For every report praising their
success, you can find one that faults them. "There are several things
parents can do to evaluate a charter school's effectiveness," says Gary Miron,
a charter schools expert at Western Michigan University's Evaluation Center and
co-author of "What's Public About Charter Schools?" (Corwin Press, 2002).
Assess teacher quality: Talk to teachers. Are they experienced? Ask why
they chose to teach in the charter school. Ask about teacher attrition. High attrition
is a caution sign. Talk with other parents: While parents may not have
access to all the data a principal or a researcher might have, they are good sources
of information on quality issues such as school climate, safety, individualized
attention and so on. (Go to greatschools.net to find public data.) Go beyond
the brochures: Don't rely on school marketing materials when making decisions,
advises Miron. "Those materials usually describe the school's original vision,
which may not be what has evolved." Look for "value added"
information: Test data is helpful, but its important to dig deeper, Miron advises.
For example, some schools that serve disadvantaged populations may have on their
faculties more highly effective teachers who are raising test scores, but the
state accountability systems may not show the results of their efforts in terms
of improvement over time. Ask what might be lacking: Small charter schools
often have fewer offerings. It may have a single set of courses that students
can take, notes Miron, "while many larger district high schools have multiple
tracks and a diverse offering of courses." Figure out whether the trade-offs
are worth it to you and your son. Be careful about generalizations: Charter
schools vary tremendously both within and between states. They vary in their specific
mission or pedagogical profile, and they differ in the degree to which they are
trying to provide instruction or serve students that differ from traditional public
schools. Spend some time in the classrooms: Direct observation will give
you a good sense of the school's expectations. Kim Fine, a charter-school
teacher in Homer, Alaska, concurs. "With your son, visit the school in session
to get a feeling for not only the qualifications but also the characteristics
of the school. Go to more than one class on more than one occasion. Ask teachers
for copies of sample assignments. Ask what the typical feeder schools are for
the school." Fine says a charter high school should be standards-based
with a rigorous curriculum and offer instruction steeped in collaboration, questioning
and critical thinking. "Learning to think is as important as learning the
content of the subjects. Some charter schools offer students the opportunity to
stay with the same classmates and teachers over a period of years. This offers
an opportunity for 'spiraling instruction,' since the path from ninth to 10th
grade, or 10th to 11th grade, is not a straight one. This method allows teachers
to present content seamlessly regardless of grade level as the student progresses
in the program. It is a significant feature of some charter schools, so check
to see if those you're considering offer it. You can't underestimate its powerful
effect on student learning." A good charter school seeks to create
a true community of learners among students and staff, says Fine. "The notion
of a 'professional learning community' should permeate faculty and student interactions.
Are students engaged and accountable in their learning? Are they connecting what
they're learning in class to the world outside of school? Immerse yourself in
the culture of this school to understand its mission, its curriculum and its personality."
If you and your son feel comfortable with the culture, it's probably a
good fit. Do you have a question about your child's education? E-mail it
to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna
Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher.
She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe
best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City. Copyright
2008, United Feature Syndicate, Inc. A-PLUS ADVICE FOR PARENTS 5-19-08 Submission
inquiries? Contact Stacey Pusey at 856-241-7772. | 
