The KY Senate passed a bill today allowing the way for charter schools in Kentucky.

 

Charter schools get taxpayer funding but aren't held to many of the rules and regulations that apply to regular schools. Kentucky law currently doesn’t permit them.

 

I have a real problem of giving public funds to a school that don't have to follow same requirements of public schools.

 

Why make public schools follow standards, if other schools don't have too.

 

I have been a big fan of the new education commissioner. I hate to see him back this bill.

 

I would rather give public money to faith based school rather than to some group that wants to steal money from public schools.

There are some effective charter schools. The problem is that there are a lot of duds that make it tough for those that are good.

I'm completely against them, unfortunately, Obama loves them and to compete for Race for the Top money you need charter school legislation.

I support them, generally, as an effort to move school choice back into the hands of parents. Kentucky law actually does permit a watered down and modified version of charter schools, and some of the Jefferson County schools are a model. The freedom from some regulation is exchanged for certain accountability that is incorporated into the charter. I believe the effort is a move in the right direction, giving parents a choice in where to send their children, and putting some measure of competetive market forces into school choice.

 

My preference would be to take that concept the whole distance and convert tax dollars to vouchers, but I don't think I'm going to get that.

 

Actually my real preference would be to move to the German system of education.

 

Traditional public schools are failing. I know that offends many of you whom are teachers, and I am sorry for that. I do not lay "blame" in any one particular area, that is not productive. However, ANY effort to shake up the status quo is worth investigating, and I think charter schools are a step in the right direction.

I'm 100% behind this. I don't think faith based schools are for everyone, nor can everyone afford them. I think Charter schools COULD open up a lot of opportunities for parents who don't find the current system working for their kids.

 

In assessing the value of Charter schools, I don't think it's fair to judge them on the results of the failures. You have to look at the successful models and work to achieve that goal. It's obvious the model can work, and that's the philosophy that I think needs to be applied in making a determination on the value of these models.

 

In assessing the value of Charter schools, I don't think it's fair to judge them on the results of the failures. You have to look at the successful models and work to achieve that goal. It's obvious the model can work, and that's the philosophy that I think needs to be applied in making a determination on the value of these models.

 

If we use the "it can work" justification there is no need to do anything different. It does work at Beechwood. It does work at Highlands. It does work at Walton-Verona.

 

Its not a panacea and the seemingly high rate of failure of these schools has to be taken into consideration.

Actually my real preference would be to move to the German system of education.

 

I agree with you on this. It's a very interesting model that appears to work on different levels for different students. Hearsay, is there any way you can give a little more elaboration on the German system for others? I'm familiar with it, but I don't think I can explain it well enough.

Is a Charter school the same as an Independent school such as Beechwood or Highlands?

If we use the "it can work" justification there is no need to do anything different. It does work at Beechwood. It does work at Highlands. It does work at Walton-Verona.

 

Its not a panacea and the seemingly high rate of failure of these schools has to be taken into consideration.

 

 

I disagree. The establishment of charter schools would introduce a level of "competition" in the education system within the public model. I believe that there is a disproportionate number of "does work" public schools to "doesn't work". I believe that charter schools, by the very nature of the model, ups the ante on public education as a whole.

I disagree. The establishment of charter schools would introduce a level of "competition" in the education system within the public model. I believe that there is a disproportionate number of "does work" public schools to "doesn't work". I believe that charter schools, by the very nature of the model, ups the ante on public education as a whole.

 

I agree in concept. However, my understanding of charter schools in Cincinnati is that they're are not overly successful. People think they can just drop off their kids at this new school and their problems are solved. Not the case.

I agree in concept. However, my understanding of charter schools in Cincinnati is that they're are not overly successful. People think they can just drop off their kids at this new school and their problems are solved. Not the case.

 

 

In fairness, I think we'd need to look at several areas where Charter schools are in place. Cincinnati may not be the best model to scrutinize, unless we look at several other like-sized communities and compare programs, models, etc.

Charter schools look good in urban areas. I understand why Obama is behind them. Being from a large urban area I am sure there are some that work.

 

So with the passing of this bill the state of Kentucky has just pimped itself out for cash. Because I know the Department of Ed isn't behind the idea. The bill was only passed for the money.

I'm 100% behind this. I don't think faith based schools are for everyone, nor can everyone afford them. I think Charter schools COULD open up a lot of opportunities for parents who don't find the current system working for their kids.

 

In assessing the value of Charter schools, I don't think it's fair to judge them on the results of the failures. You have to look at the successful models and work to achieve that goal. It's obvious the model can work, and that's the philosophy that I think needs to be applied in making a determination on the value of these models.

 

Using the bolded, why don't we just move public schools to the way charter schools are, IF they are working and public schools are not?

Can someone give me an example of Charter Schools?

I support them, generally, as an effort to move school choice back into the hands of parents. Kentucky law actually does permit a watered down and modified version of charter schools, and some of the Jefferson County schools are a model. The freedom from some regulation is exchanged for certain accountability that is incorporated into the charter. I believe the effort is a move in the right direction, giving parents a choice in where to send their children, and putting some measure of competetive market forces into school choice.

 

My preference would be to take that concept the whole distance and convert tax dollars to vouchers, but I don't think I'm going to get that.

 

Actually my real preference would be to move to the German system of education.

 

Traditional public schools are failing. I know that offends many of you whom are teachers, and I am sorry for that. I do not lay "blame" in any one particular area, that is not productive. However, ANY effort to shake up the status quo is worth investigating, and I think charter schools are a step in the right direction.

 

As a public school teacher, your statement does not offend me, as long as you are suggesting an "average," as not all public schools are failing their students/community/parents. However, many are.

 

My school has made some significant changes over the past year, thanks to a new principal and continues on that road of "rocking the boat" and seeking to become better.