Over the past couple of years I have posted a few pieces about the constant attacks on charter schools in California. As I wrote to a legislator involved in one of the unconscionable guttings of laws related to charter schools, “The level of antipathy against these programs at the state level is truly shocking.”
Why are alternatives important?
The spirit behind charter school law, as I understand it, is to free schools from certain levels of state oversight in order to:
- foster innovation in education,
- serve students with unique needs, and
- challenge mainstream public schools to do the same.
I see charters as having succeeded in that mission perhaps too well. One charter high school in our county is always at odds with the County Office of Ed because they are seen as “siphoning off” the high-scoring students from comprehensive high schools. Another was accused of discrimination because they required parents to volunteer at the school.
But if the comprehensive high schools were serving those students’ needs, they wouldn’t leave. And research shows that every school should strive to get every single parent involved in some capacity.
The right response to competition is to do better than your competition, but too often, the school system pressures legislators to cut off innovation rather than getting inspired by it.
What sorts of alternatives do people look for?
- Smaller schools
As public high schools get bigger and more impersonal, anyone who wants a personalized environment for their student votes with their feet (and their tax dollars). - Special educational focus
Some students simply have needs that can’t be served by just any school. Let’s just admit that and allow them to find the approach that suits them. - High quality teaching
One persistent problem that our neighborhood schools have is attracting and maintaining qualified, dedicated staff. Charter schools offer good teachers a more flexible environment, and the staff at a charter is often passionately dedicated to their school. - An environment that fits a family’s special needs
Our focus on the idea that only children with disabilities have special needs hurts our school system. All people may have special needs, and the more flexibility we offer in educational environments, the more families we serve.
These four points were emphasized by educators I interviewed for my recent article about innovative independent schools in my county.
What sorts of kids and families seek out alternatives?
- Children with special learning needs
- Children who have been bullied
- High-performing students
- Low-performing students
- Families with special lifestyle needs
- Children with special physical or medical needs
As anyone can see if they glance at this list, kids at the edges are the ones who need alternative options. A child who’s being treated for cancer may want or need to learn at home. A child who has been bullied may thrive in a small school where teachers can keep a closer eye on the school culture.
Who suffers when alternatives are restricted?
All of us. Let’s not mince words here: The quality of our educational system affects all of us. A well-educated child who finds the right environment to nurture their strengths may well end up being the EMT, therapist, scientist, or innovative chef who saves your life.
We can’t know what any one child will bring to the world. But if we nurture them all in appropriate educational environments, we can know that we’ve given them all the foundation they need in order to bring what they can.
