Public Schools Funding Cuts, Teachers out of Work, While Charter Schools Are Expanding on Tax Payer’s Money

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PlanetUSA.us

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Reblogged May 28, 2011

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, from 2008-09, there was a 340,000 increase in students attending public charter school. Charter schools are considered a nontraditional (alternative) education. First let me just say I think Charter schools are just another private school not worrying about vouchers because they are getting school funding directly and are alowed to practice anyway they like. Second I think Charter schools are just another form of Segregation, which leads to me the focus of this blog which is the hypocrisy that Republicans would push funding for charter school so they can flourish, but for those in public schools get less.

Charter schools in the United States are primary or secondary schools that receive public money (and like other schools, may also receive private donations) but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school’s charter.[1] Charter schools are opened and attended by choice.[2] While charter schools provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. Where enrollment in a charter school is oversubscribed, admission is frequently allocated by lottery-based admissions. In a 2008 survey of charter schools, 59% of the schools reported that they had a waiting list, averaging 198 students.[3] Some charter schools provide a curriculum that specializes in a certain field — e.g., arts and mathematics. Others attempt to provide a better and more efficient general education than nearby public schools. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school

Supreme Court to Georgia Charter Schools, ‘Special’ your are ‘Not’
“No other constitutional provision authorizes any other governmental entity to compete with or duplicate the efforts of local boards of education in establishing and maintaining general K-12 schools,” the opinion states.
In the Georgia ruling two key issues were focused on. First focus did the state tried to broadened the definition of state -sponsored “special schools”, which historically have always meant only state-run schools for the blind and deaf? The second issue addressed was whether a seven-member Charter Schools Commission was created for the state to divert local money to Charter Schools.
The Supreme Court found that the Charter Schools on both issues have been unfairly created. The Georgia Attorney General and other Charter Schools supporters are hoping to get this definition reversed.

In Georgian there was a ruling on May 17,2011 getting rid of the Georgia Charter School Commission. Under the Georgia School Commission they felt they could aprove funding charter schools over the objection of local school boards. “The high court concluded that only local boards of education have the power to open and pay for public schools.” Also another thing I found interesting about that article was an image of a protest where 400 people attended this ruling against Charter Schools. In the image there were several kids holding signs protesting the High courts ruling. On those signs it said “Supreme Court: I am Special” . These Charter schools have nothing to do with the deaf or the blind they are just schools they are basically publica schools syphening the money of public schools providing a variety of programs that essentially your basic public school has been cut the funding to provide for the students that attend the district. http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2011/05/17/hundreds_protest_ga_charter_school_ruling/

They are not schools for the Blind or deaf and have but they have ran away with this definition, even misleading their own students that they are special than those in public schools because of all the programs Charter Schools feel they have more entitlement over to have unlike Public Schools. Essentially these Charter Schools having thrown away the true term of Georgia Law have set up situation of the ‘Have’ and the ‘Have NOts’, (Charter Schoos, the haves and Public Schools, the Have Nots). Essentially Georgia Charter schools have created a an ugly monster and a since of entitlement, because these students protesting are not deaf or blind or represent them in anyway. No since the Charter Schools have falsely used the term, they believe they are special because of all the programs and priveleges that have been Unfairly given to Charter Schools over Public Schools.
“Supreme Court: I am Special”,really and what of the public schools. Aren’t the kids that attend public schools just as special. Amazing how we have already separted ourselves into who is considered elite in this society according to school attendance, when the simple fact all students should be allowed access to all means of education. This reminds be Brown versus Board of Education in REVERSe backwards. To see the image you can go to this link: http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2011/05/17/hundreds_protest_ga_charter_school_ruling/

Not have you cut into Public school funding but you have changed the minds of those that at an early age they have more entitlement than other students to a good education.

From a ‘F’ student to an ‘A’ student; From a rich kid to a poor kid; From a broken home to a happy home all children deserve a quality education. For example if you take a ‘F’ student in writing from public school who may not be good in English; but he maybe better in math. Well that student maynot be interested in being a mathematician, but he may have a fondness for art. Well for that same student with an ‘F” in writing but has a fondness for math could have a fondness in becoming an architecture. But wait you cut the funding for arts out of the budget for public education so he or she would have never gotten the chance embrace all the possibilities. Students attending public school deserve to have that same shot and a choice if a variety of programs to choose from. Would shouldn’t be cutting these programs instead we should continue the fight for them. It shouldn’t be Charter School students getting to enjoy such programs off of taxpayer money while the Public Schools do withoout.

I doubt when politicians say every measure has been used to help public education, when essentially all you did with more money per student give the money for all the program any school should have from pre-K to 12th grade. If your in South Carolina the curriculum guideline use is no where near the standards of the national curriculums for schools to say you are doing everything possicle. It seems for 14 years that a student may spend in school the the only thing that matters to officials regarding our public schools and the only thing being offered is that they pass a test.

A new national study re-ignites the debate over the promise and limitations of charter schools. Created as alternatives to failing public schools, charter schools were supposed to offer more innovation and less bureaucracy. But what about academic achievement? A new AFT study came out: Charter Schools Underperforming, Results Repeatedly Delayed. The study argues that IN THE WHOLE public schools are doing very well compared to charter schools.http://almaer.com/blog/public-schools-vs-charter-schools-facts-not-myths

Just this month in Indianapolis Republicans lawmakers with Republican Governor Mitch Daniel are pushing a bill to expand Charter schools programs that include the public edudation funding and the share of the state transportation. This is just an example of the Republicans in outher states, who are also pushing to expand Charter Schools. You know if you really want to help all students have a better education you don’t cut the programs from one school and give to the other. And for some you would deny this and go along and put your name in the hat to get your children into these schools rather than fight for the education of all in your community. Imagine there could be a lot of poor communities that could have used this money to build better programs in their schools.

Public School has amount to the students being called the Have Nots, since basically everything you did have went to some Charter School on the tax payer’s dime. But its not just our elective officials, I wouldn’t be surprised that somewhere someone who has a child in a Charter Schools, laughs and scoffs at the Public Education, while taking your money. We have are a selfish society to think that some how stealing from the funding for Public Education we are improving education. Teacher in the Public education in the past have fought for education doesn’t centers around testing, but with a lack funding and in between getting teachers getting layed off it can be very hard for teachers to fight. There needs to be more parents who demand better education for all children, and not the select few. Its bad enough we got Republicans trying to steal tax payer money for vouchers on Private Education, but its even slicker of them pushing these Charter Schools and taking tax payer moneys to pay for them.

In another 20 years will this new generation resembles the statements of Republican, Tom Donohue, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, that says if we can’t find skilled labor in the United States to ship the jobs overseas. Face it as a society we all have to deal with each other, we can either learn how to work together now building a better education system in this country now or 20 years later wonder why our society has not advanced.

A look at one of the latest School Cuts:

Across the country public schools are getting their education budgets slashed, left and right. Teachers are being layed off and programs are being cut out of school curriculums. Your Fine arts programs probably out any other program is going to be the first to get cut. In Portland Mt.Tabor middle school they had program that followed Japanese education, which meant their students were kept with the same teacher for three years. However rather than seeing the value of such a program, that program was cut from the school. If this was Charter school off of your tax payer money, this would never happen. Deidre Krys-Rusoff a parent who started “Save Cedar Lodge” said “It’s not just a Mt. Tabor problem; it’s not just Portland Public Schools; it’s the way education is going throughout the U.S. – we want to put more mandates on the schools as we’re cutting the resources at the same time. What’s falling by the wayside are the more creative programs that are getting cut as a result.” Well for the public schools creativity is being cut out at every level, but then you turn to your Charter Schools it is quite a different story, and you know at some point you have to ask yourself is it really our state officials are blind to the fact or are they trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

Great example of what Charters Schools are getting and what Public Schools Are not Getting on your Tax Payer Dollar.

“Today’s educational field is no longer limited to traditional schools teaching traditional subjects using traditional methods. There are a number of alternative educational programs available in many communities. While some of these institutions use non-traditional methods, such as providing a casual study environment or a less structured curriculum allowing for personal student investigations, others choose to explore non-traditional subjects, such as zoology or woodworking.A Waldorf Education”
http://diplomaguide.com/articles/Should_You_Consider_an_Alternative_(Non-Traditional)_Education%3F.html

Take a look at one Charter has to say about themselves and the programs your paying for but your children are not getting.

Statement from Waldorf Education (Charter School):
“While many of these arts are ‘out-of-budget’ expenses at public schools, they are essentials at Waldorf.”

That statement same from the Waldorf school, not me .

Amazing the things they must have and the things you have to do without.

Waldorf Education is an example of one institution that does both non traditional and traditional education.

“A Waldorf EducationThe Waldorf method of education was developed by Rudolf Steiner at the beginning of the 20th century and is based on Steiner’s philosophy that people deserve respect as the ’embodiment of their spiritual nature.’ Waldorf Education takes a lesson from the Renaissance school of thought and emphasizes well-roundedness, developing genius and great exploration in the maturing student while focusing equally on the body, soul and spirit of the child. At Waldorf, subjects include, but are not limited to:” http://diplomaguide.com/articles/Should_You_Consider_an_Alternative_(Non-Traditional)_Education%3F.html

Fables/Legends
Bible Stories
Norse Myths
House Building
Gardening
Reading, Spelling & Grammar
Poetry
Fractions
Local and World Geography
Comparative Zoology
Botany
Creative Writing
Medieval and Renaissance History
Jewelry and Glassblowing
Music
Physics, Astronomy &Physiology
Knitting and Basic Weaving
Toy Making
Woodworking
First Aid

“While many of these arts are ‘out-of-budget’ expenses at public schools, they are essentials at Waldorf. Although Waldorf follows the public school curriculum of math, reading and science, it also attempts to bring out each child’s special talent. Students will stay with the same teacher and with the same class K-12 which gives them the chance to learn in a familiar and safe environment. This feeling of security actually fosters confident exploration in all scholastic and artistic endeavors. Waldorf students excel in standardized tests and do very well at prestigious colleges. Most importantly, the school allows a strong teacher/parent/child bond to develop over the years, which gives the student a support base for difficult times. Waldorf schools are non-sectarian and non-denominational so that no child is left behind.”
http://diplomaguide.com/articles/Should_You_Consider_an_Alternative_(Non-Traditional)_Education%3F.html

Interesting as mentioned above in Portland their public education program was cut that would have kept their students and teachers together for just only three years.

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