Critics want reprieve for some charters

More on the idiotic proposal by the new Democractic governor of Ohio, Strickland (who I actually met briefly and wrote a check to!).  Good to see parents getting angry and involved.  From Eduwonk:

Tough Nuts In Ohio

There are some problems with public charter schools in Ohio (though many in-state charter folks are making a commendable effort to clean up the problems) but this proposed moratorium is a very ill-considered idea because it's far too broad a brush. It makes no sense to hamstring proven programs, for instance KIPP, because of problems with other schools. And problems, I have to point out, that are not inherent but rather could have been avoided in some cases if policymakers in Ohio had learned from the experiences of other states when they first tried this...

Juxtaposed with New York, the differences couldn't be starker. I think that Williams fellow is on to something...

And from the Center for Education Reform:

BUCKING STRICKLAND. The battle is raging over the Governor's misguided proposals to nearly bring all school choices to a screeching halt in the Buckeye State. Children and parents packed hearing rooms last week and gave compelling arguments for why the state should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Children in districts that have long been under "academic emergency" would be forced to attend those failed district schools. Local advocate Ron Adler reports that at one point, "the hearing room doors burst open and a seemingly endless 'stream' of 43 blue tee shirts entered worn by parents, teachers and beautiful students of all ages from Constellation Community Schools in Cleveland. The parents spoke with passion and after stating their personal experience with their community school, asked the legislators, "Why would the Governor do anything to hurt our school...the school that we chose and the school that is providing a wonderful education for our child?" Over in Toledo, parents rallied to protect their rights to charter schools. One 6th grade student wrote a letter to Gov. Strickland, telling him, "You are going to ruin mine and other children's education if you shut down our school. We only have one chance to get our education and charter schools seem to help us best." People like this week's Newsmaker of the Week have also spoken up and provided parents and lawmakers with the truth about school choice. If interested in joining in the growing response to Gov. Strickland, please contact CER at (202) 822-9000 or email kara@edreform.com.

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Critics want reprieve for some charters

Moratorium also would halt promising schools

Monday,  April 9, 2007 3:30 AM

By Jennifer Smith Richards, The Columbus Dispatch

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/04/09/TOSSPLANS.ART_ART_04-09-07_A1_VP6B1AT.html

 

Surely we're allowed to start new charter schools, the school districts say.

 

And surely, some charter leaders say, Gov. Ted Strickland doesn't mean to squelch the expansion of successful programs.

 

But they are wrong.

 

To current and would-be charter schools, Strickland's proposed moratorium is a terrible response to his concern that there isn't enough oversight of the publicly funded but often privately run schools.

 

The moratorium wouldn't stop only those charters.