Personally, I’d like to see a comparison of district per pupil spending for district schools vs. charter school. As I understand, charter schools get a portion of the per pupil allotment, leaving the remainder with the sponsoring district. If I’m wrong on that, please clarify.

I would love to see a well-reasoned argument about how charter schools negatively affect public education even with conflicting evidence such as successful programs like OSA.

And to echo what Andre said, the admission process at OSA is totally grade blind and we have no idea who has an IEP or 504 going in. The best thing for a student who who was not admitted the first time is to talk to the evaluating instructors to get an idea of how she/he could improve for the next audition. In some programs, many students who were on the bubble have come back a second time and been admitted.

The biggest difference I see in charter schools vs. public schools is that parents take an active role in CHOOSING to send their children to a charter school. Any time you have increased parental involvement, the probability that the parents are paying more attention to their kids’ academic progress is also increased. I don’t mean to sound harsh or judgmental, but there are a lot of OUSD parents who choose schools based on proximity and availability of free afterschool childcare. Schools cannot raise children; only parents can.

Regarding funding, I would simply point out that much of that is due to largely having two faculties, one for arts and one for academics. It is not the reason for academic success, except indirectly by students being highly invested in their arts and wanting to maintain a certain GPA in order to be eligible to perform (the “signature practice” that CDE noted).

Regarding IEPS: there are many. 504s, lots. Full time resource person: yes. Students audition in the arts, but there is obviously no academic “screening”. OSA would not have a charter were it to do so.

Another aspect which is bordering illegal is that OSA screens its applicants. They must perforem
And submit “portfolios” before being accepted. My neighbor did not get in because his performance
Or was it due to his IEP?

I like charters but this is an advantage for OSA.

A gorgeous Friday to all!

In addition, the majority of OSA’s students reside in urban Oakland neighborhoods, and the free/reduced lunch number is derived from the number of families who choose to self-identify as low-income so that their students can receive free/discounted school lunches. Most of our students prefer food from home, or–as we are located in Downtown Oakland–from regional restaurants, like Mr. Pizza! The school may have a big budget and a fancy home, but most of OSA’s families, frankly, do not.

Our students are not “creamed” from the public school system at large. In fact, they’re admitted completely grade-blind. Report cards are not considered in the audition process – and our student population reflects the diversity of Oakland at large. OSA’s 2008-2009 ethnic composition is 43% African American, 3% Asian American, 12% Caucasian American, 7% Hispanic/Latino, 25% Multiracial, 10% Other/Declined to State.

During their years at OSA, students complete a rigorous academic curriculum while focusing on one of the following arts emphases: Dance, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Literary Arts, Theater, Visual Arts or Arts Management.

To retain their artistic privileges, OSA students must meet high academic standards. For example: an instrumentalist who does not maintain an adequate GPA may no longer play in OSA concerts, even if he is the bassist in a jazz quartet. This creates an enormous impetus to study hard, and builds a sense of accountability toward one’s peers.

I appreciate the fact that so many parents and community leaders (like those represented in this blog) are concerned about Oakland’s youth. Charter schools are certainly no panacea for all of the socioeconomic issues that affect our shared East Bay community; but I think that, if you will take the time to stop by our school and visit us, you’ll agree that we are just one more school that’s working our hardest to serve the talented youth of Oakland and beyond. Rather than detracting from our students’ hard-earned success, I hope that you’ll congratulate them when you see them on BART or out in the streets. They, more than any OSA teacher or administrator, have worked diligently to receive any honors that come their way.

Our doors are open, and I would love to see you stop by.

Best,
Soma Mei Sheng Frazier
(OSA Literary Arts teacher and administrator)

The social scientists call this type of competition a zero sum game and since both sides are advocating and competing for the same resources indeed one gains at the expense of the other.

How would it make sense for opponents of charter schools to keep quiet and not point out that when OSA wins recognition for its school in terms of high scores that OSA is a school that is atypical of OUSD schools in terms of its population and resources. If nothing is said the message supporters of charter schools will spread is that charter schools are superior to public schools and OSA proves it.

Remaining silent is to provide only part of the story. Providing the context for the award is not disrespectful of the students being recognized but calling for caution in making too much of the award. The same would apply for an award given to a public schools that recognized outstanding accomplishments of students but implied that public schools were superior to charter schools.

I find the competitive aspect of charter schools clearly does harm. But, those that support charters it is the price that many are willing to pay. Other supporters just turn a blind eye and pretend that creating charters comes at no cost to the existing public schools.

Jim Mordecai