Chauncey and ForChldren have affirmed the simple point I made earlier (Post 19)

Point 1:
>>Do you know how ridiculous we sound – as educators, when we have these arguments. Charter schools, vouchers, public schools, private schools… parents only have two questions -
1 Does it work?
2. Can we afford it? (Tuition)<>>But there’s one thing that we overwhelmingly agree on – one thing we all want:a good education for our children, and we DO NOT CARE how it is provided.<<<

All this political talk, quoting Yale scholars, righteous indignation…. it’s mostly vanity.

Parents and kids have been trapped in schools you wouldn’t send your worst enemy to. When OUSD can come before the parents and say, “Look, this is what happened from 1994-2004. THIS is the reason why the kids weren’t learning, and why we tried these new programs that didn’t work. THIS is why we amassed a debt. THIS is why we had so many rookies or disinterested vets in high needs classes….. we understand what we did wrong and have fixed the problems. Trust us again.”

Is anyone saying this? In all of this “discussion” is anyone taking responsibility for the districts failings. Nope. The district, the schools, the teachers, the unions, and the academicians who dare rationalize why parents shouldn’t have FULL school choice – are nothing more than charlatans. (Think “Father Devine” in the the 60′s) They would have us lay our children and their futures on the altar of their ideology, institutions, and political affiliation.

The supposition is that they know what’s best for the long term health of public education. Track record, please?

Oakland’s children should be protected – not the institution of public education. The interests of the public system and the children are not the same at all points.

What schools did their children go to? What were their “options?”

All this fuss over $60 a head. These are Oakland kids. The man making the decision has so much say in our affairs because the district went broke and was ineffective. Trust me, the regular folks in Oakland do not give a rats’ tail about $60 a head going to charter schools. The question is this…. if the money went to OUSD schools instead – what would you do with it? Specifically

If you gave OUSD got a 10 million dollar grant TODAY, what would they do with the money? There is no vision. There is no plan? Figure that out before causing a ruckus over $60 kid. Stop playing God with people’s children. Parents should have choices.

There is such antipathy between public and charter schools, apparently, that we are probably missing out on an opportunity to study a different model.

I’m an Oakland Teacher. I want what’s best for the kids in our community. If my classroom is it…. then I want them with me. If my classroom is NOT it, then they should have the right to go somewhere else…and I have no problem with some money going with them to follow their choice. If I want them in my classroom, I need to step up my game and earn their confidence.

Lastly, someone above defiantly said that they want examples of “failing schools”. Let’s please not go there. I am a veteran teacher in the flatlands. I will not let you dismiss a parent’s ideas and words just because they don’t have the details. If you really want to get specific…. I can help you. But let’s not be coy.
The dismissive attitude towards ForChildren and Chauncey are great examples of the deeper problems in our schools – being condescending towards the community. “We know what’s best for your children.” Really? What does recent history say…

Charter schools are perhaps the most democratic innovation public education has seen in recent times. I dont need no Yale educated theorist to tell me about the hood and ghetto politics! Where does he live and kids attend? Self segregatiopn? What the F*** is Yale- a community college?

I drive a damn truck for a living and I am about to be laid off, what about him or you? Bunch of coffee shop theorists know what time it is in the hood?! Yeah right! This is Oakland- bunch of liberal dummies who tolerate nonsense and allow these theorists to come in and become prophets. Not in my street.

Bottom line is charter school are free and provide an alternative to district schools- other than hurting the union- what is so wrong about that? Destroying the public education system, hell I think in Oakland the district has taken care of that by itself! Also, charters are public schools!!

Look- why not just focus on what is working and understand that perhaps the district should be challeneged. This guy Mordecai- has anyone seen him? Look at him at a board meeting and you tell me- is this who you want speaking for the OUSD? Teaching your kids? He is a damn sub in the first place.

The lines are drawn- polticis remain and the board will run the district to the ground once more. Generations will be lost.

By the way, Mordecai mentioned the 1% tax on charters, but not the $450 speacial education charge. I checked what the post stated prior and you know what – IT IS TRUE!! Charters are getting bilked for millions by the district. Call the Oakland Charter schools office and see for yourself.

What woud Mr. Yale say to that? We are supposed to be impressed with a guy named Elijah- HA HA!

Theory is nice, but I’d prefer to see the data that supports that claim.

According to Anderson, it is the more enterprising parents (you’re the only one on this thread who has ever said “smartest”) who will move their kids out of the public schools and into charters because they “think” the charters provide more opportunity. He explained that these are the inner-city parents who monitor their kids more closely.

He also discussed how those parents think one of the MAIN opportunities charter schools will offer them is the ability for them self-segregate into a smaller group. Whether the group of origin is white & black, white & white, black & black, or anything in between, he says this tendency is human nature.

According to Anderson, the self-segregation offered by charter schools most definitely creates a situation where the kids who don’t have anyone to advocate for them (those with weaker educationally-minded parents, of which there are too many in Oakland) will end up stuck together without peers from any other groups to associate with.

Now, if America is deciding to adopt a stricter caste system and wants to solidify a group of “untouchables,” or wants to return to tribalism, then so be it. I hope I don’t live to see what happens to our country then.

But since charter schools –

1. aren’t broadly showing themselves to be better than the regular schools (unless it is a report sponsored by a pro-charter organization)
2. are being pushed by members of our nation’s elite business class (individuals who very doubtfully have the best interest of disadvantaged people at heart)
3. their operations are opaque and occasionally suspect, even though they use public money

– then it’s plain to see that they are just another danger to the fundamentals of our democracy.

At this point, Oakland has plenty of charter schools to choose from for people who want to go that route. It’s fine with me for OUSD to keep the ones it has (unless they’re crooked or bad), but there is no good reason to allow any more.

Now, if people don’t like the District’s schools, then there’s nothing wrong with getting specific about your complaints, getting engaged with the democratic process, and organizing to make the schools work for you. That’s one big reason the suburban schools are “better” because that’s exactly what middle-class parents do.

Therefore, I suggest that all charter school high-stakes testing be outsourced and all charter school testing be paid by the State of California as just part of the cost of paying for a charter school system.

As for the existing 1%, it does not really cover testing that 1% should remain as part of California’s charter school system.

Jim Mordecai

“Let parents pick: Harlem proves moms and dads are clamoring for school choice

The parents of Harlem have been given the wonderful benefit of school choice – and they’re taking full advantage of the ability to select the best education for their children…

The demand for better was on full display over the weekend, when 5,000 people turned out for the first Harlem Education Fair, an event at which parents got to consider the merits of 50 schools. And at which those schools competed for enrollments.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/03/03/2009-03-03_let_parents_pick_harlem_proves_moms_and_.html