But Superintendent Jerry Weast has said no thanks. He is recommending that the Board of Education reject both Charter School applications at their meeting on June 8, 2010.
Below is an announcement and advocacy alert that one of the Charter School applicants sent out last week. The announcement has been edited to reflect the actual date that the MCPS Board of Education will vote on their application. But Superintendent Weast has already said no, any chance that the Board of Education will have an independent discussion and make their own decision?
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May 27, 2010
Dear Supporters of Global Garden Public Charter School ,
By now we hope you’ve heard the fortifying news that our application for $550,000 in federal charter school start-up funds has been granted by the Maryland State Department of Education. This success pushes us yet another step closer to approval by MCPS and the Board of Education.
However, we’re not there yet—and there’s still one important thing you can do to support innovative public school options for Montgomery County families. The positive assessment of MSDE reviewers carries some weight, but our voices—those of voting, tax-paying citizens of Montgomery County --are even more powerful.
Following the link below will take you to our very own political action page at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS). There you will be able to send your message of support for GGPCS directly to your Maryland State senators and representatives, your County Council members and to your Board of Education members. Your recipients will be automatically identified using your address.
Due to NAPCS policy, the page cannot mention Global Garden by name, so it’s tremendously important to take time to personalize your message before sending it. Please add to the text in the box one or two compelling reasons why Global Garden is the right choice for your child or your community. Keep the message positive, and be sure to mention Global Garden Public Charter School loudly and clearly!
We are very grateful for the cooperation of NAPCS and the Maryland State Charter School Network on this project. They’ll be tracking the number of messages we send out.
Send your message now! The Board of Education will make its final decision by June 28 [on June 8th]. When you’re done, please take another moment to forward this email to three friends who might be willing to add their voice to the chorus of those who support innovation in public education. Thank you for your support!
The Founding Board of Global Garden Public Charter School
I don't think $550,000 should influence the decision to accept or reject a charter school application. That is chump change in comparrison to the ongoing operating costs of the school over the course of five years.
ReplyDeleteThat said I have read the Superintendents memo to the Board of Education, and it is clear that the applications stood no chance of a favorable report by the Superintendent.
It makes no difference what they say or how they might say it. They would have been rejected by Weast.
This is really too bad, what MoCo needs is some competition to drive improvement in our schools. Charter Schools are a great way to provide that.
Bob Astrove
@Bob
ReplyDeleteIn what areas does MoCo need improvement?
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Montgomery-County-graduation-rates-fall-8280276.html
ReplyDeleteYou asked.... (but I don't know who you are?)
ReplyDeleteMy #1`issue w' what MCPS has done for the past decade is that have intentionally not dealt with issues of remediation.
Too much of the focus has been on the early grades. MCPS knows, but fails to publically acknowledge and address the issue that 1/2 the graduating class each year didn't begin its educational experience with MCPS. Rather they entered the school system after the primary period which represents the core of the systems focus activities.
If we want to improve outcomes we have to address the specific needs of students who don't enter MCPS until aprox. grade 9.
Bob Astrove
@ Bob
ReplyDeleteLets hypothesize that exactly 1/2 of the students who graduate from MCPS entered after the primary grades. That means out of 44,500 high school students we can approximate that about 11,000 are seniors who are going to try to graduate. You would suggest that 5500 of those students are in need of remediation because they entered MCPS not on grade level. I understand the need to address and help these students but didn't someone fail these kids BEFORE they entered MCPS? This is supposed to be solved by a charter school? Seems far fetched to me.
One charter school certainly can't solve the problem of large numbers of kids entering MCPS with skills below grade level. But what if one charter school could help 100 of those kids? or 50? What's the harm in trying? Would those 50 or 100 kids be worse off? Would public education in MoCo be in danger if we went out on a limb and let a group of committed folks try a different path?
ReplyDeleteYou only have to look at the numbers of kids needing to take remedial courses at Montgomery College (and where do you think those kids graduated from?) to see that there are just some kids who aren't "getting it" from MCPS. Why not try something different? And if it was successful, then let Jerry Weast lead a parade of TV cameras to the door.
Lyda (wife of Bob)
Here are some fundamental issues with those thoughts.
ReplyDelete1. Who chooses the students that will be the 50 or 100?
2. Maybe if we let teachers fail students who are really not making it then we might not have the necessity for remediation.
3. Why are all of our 8th grades expected to pass algebra? Are they really passing? Do they really know what they are doing?
Would public education in MoCo be in danger if we went out on a limb and let a group of committed folks try a different path?
How many years do you think these people are going to be committed?
Mr/Ms. Anonymous:
ReplyDelete1. Who chooses? Random lottery. How are students chosen for French/Spanish immersion programs now?
2. Who prohibits teachers from failing students? School administrators, central office, parents, or all of the above? I know in the special ed world all that is required under law is "making progress." Is there a different standard in the general ed world? Is "mastery" really required? If a student deserves to flunk, who or what is stopping it from happening?
4.Don't know about the 8th grade algebra thing. My kid took, and passed, Algebra 1 when he was ready for it: 10th grade. (and at a W school no less). Would he be able to wait that long today?
5. Involuntary committments have to be reviewed after six months. I think we'd know by then whether or not the charter school was looking like it might make it.