A predictable war of words has erupted around interpreting the latest set of NYC test scores. The charter sector has touted its successes, with Success Academy Charter Schools front and center, and the mayor has increasingly pushed back, critiquing the results, Success Academy itself, and broadly tarring the sector. Missed in the battle of the elephants…
Humpty Dumpty and “Public” Charter Schools
Some people in Oakland don’t like charter schools, most of them seem to live in the Hills, and have good neighborhood choices. Meanwhile many Flatlands families are voting with their feet, choosing public charter schools. Lost in this debate is the fact the families at charters are more likely to be low income, people of…
OUSD Tax Measures Are a Step Towards Equity, a Leap is Needed in CA
Oakland’s schools are underfunded and need a permanent fix. While it’s great to see local tax measures on property and developers moving forward, we really need to look hard at the statewide funding system if we are going to get to real equity. The elephant in the room is Proposition 13 which capped all property…
Why do I and Other Black Families Support Charter Schools
Most Black families support charter schools, not because they are duped or privatizers, but because many see their neighborhood schools, and know their children need better options. I know, because I saw it first hand in West Oakland, struggling to get my brother the education he deserved, in a system that didn’t treat him with…
Conflicting Reports on CA Charter Admissions Violations, Any Number Is Too High
Too many charter schools are setting illegal admissions standards, whether that is 2%, as the California Charter Association reports or 20% as the ACLU of SoCal and Public Advocates report (full disclosure my first legal gig was at Public Advocates). Charter schools are public schools and need to have open admissions, so any number is…