CER survey results on choice and charters; Charter Schools Make Big Gains in ISTEP Results

1) Some national survey results from the Center for Education Reform (which is not affiliated with Democrats for Eduction Reform):

By nearly a 3:1 margin, Americans agree that SCHOOL CHOICE IS BETTER than residence-based school assignment! This support for choice is most intense among 18-34 year olds.
 

Did you know that 20 percent of Americans recently surveyed could not correctly identify a charter school as a public school? However, once given some basic information, 78 percent supported the concept of charter schools because they are based on accountability, standards and innovation. Plus, they are achieving at excellent rates.
 

Charters enjoy tri-partisan support; Republicans (87%), Democrats (74%), especially Democratic women (77%), and Independents (70%) would all green light community efforts to create these "new public schools."
 

And the winner is... Although it lost in the Gubernator's special ballot initiative this past November, a clear majority of Americans (59 percent) support performance pay for teachers. The strongest levels of support came from adult minority Californians.

2) Kudos to the KIPP in Indianapolis!

KIPP Principal Omotayo Ola-Niyi says her fifth grade class performed at a second grade level when the school opened in 2004. She says one year later the students are nearly caught up. Their ISTEP scores improved by 11 percent this year.

“Our students grew over two grade levels in every subject area,” she said.

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Charter Schools Make Big Gains in ISTEP Results

Dec 16, 2005, 06:12 PM EST

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4255955&nav=0Ra7

 

ISTEP scores were released earlier this week, and Indiana's students showed only marginal improvement from last year. But local charter schools made gains that outshone the traditional schools on the statewide exam.

 

The fifth graders at the KIPP school in Haughville are aiming for college. KIPP stands for Knowledge is Power Program. The middle school the children attend is one of nine charter schools sponsored by Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. Charter schools are public schools, but they have much more freedom than traditional schools.

 

KIPP Principal Omotayo Ola-Niyi says her fifth grade class performed at a second grade level when the school opened in 2004. She says one year later the students are nearly caught up. Their ISTEP scores improved by 11 percent this year.

 

“Our students grew over two grade levels in every subject area,” she said….