Tuesday, March 31, 2009
"Right Choice for Parents, Real Chance for Children?"
As you get into this "new era" of education of which President Obama speaks of it is truly evident that America needs change. I believe that increasing the CHOICE for parents on what school they would like their child to attend is good for American education. We have been in need of change for quite some time and offering this CHOICE to parents could be a start to the answer of how to make American education better. Think about the quote "the right choice for parents and the real chance for children". I have lived by this motto for years. Why you might ask? Well it is the motto of my school. It is in a sense our promise to those who believe in us and are a part of our school community. Parents choose to come to my school because it is what they feel is in the best interest of their child. They appreciate the specific programs that are offerred and are interested in many of the options that we offer (more one on one time, 20 students per class, the teaching of values and character...following state standards etc). Whose to say that the government or anyone else can tell a parent what school a child should attend...it clearly is the parents CHOICE. I believe that having CHOICE is definately one of the most wonderful aspects of our country..we are free to have the CHOICE of where to send our children to school. There is a reason that parents have chosen a particular school. Part of our enrollment forms feature a section where parents are to write a paragraph on why they believe this school is best for their child/children. The secretary allowed me to look through some of my kids files and read what the parents were looking for. I came to a realization that two things semed to be important to the parents joining our community. They were particularly interested in the fact that we are a school based on a character curriculum and smaller class sizes. I read a bunch that mention that they like that all teachers have to be highly qualified and that all of our schools also take the state mandated tests. Some of them were not pleased with traditional public schools and were looking for a change. It doesn't matter what happened in each case but that parents do have the right to again find a place that is a "better fit" for their child. There are two quotes that stood out to me from the article "Public or Private". The first one said "the public has absolutely no right to judge on anyone whether a parent chooses to send their child to a public or private school". It isn't for the public to decide but for the parents. Also, the quote "every school is as good as its admin, staff admin, policies, class size, parent support, and budget". It isn't always about the choice that parents make for their child/children but what the school may offer that could be an important reason why the choice for parents is good for American education. I have seen amazing things happening with our schools and if it were not for the option of CHOICE I feel that many students would be at a disadvantage and would not be where they are today. For me the quote "the right choice for parents and a real chance for children" has a true purpose. Could this be the change America needs?
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"the public has absolutely no right to judge on anyone whether a parent chooses to send their child to a public or private school"
ReplyDeleteWho is "the public?" Wouldn't parents be a big part of that group?
Thanks to you and others for sharing your charter school experiences. I knew little about the specifics of them, and it was interesting to learn about the different strength and issues.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading your post I was wondering if you (or anyone else with charter school experience)feel that the students are more devoted to their curriculum and education because they CHOOSE to be there.
I attended public school until high school when I transfered to a private Catholic school. Amoung other differences, one noteworthy thing I noticed was that many students appeared to be more devoted to their education. I felt that some of this came from the fact that they CHOSE to attend this school. (The students/families had to take the initiative to research the choices, apply, take enterance tests, pay the tuition..etc.) We have talked in class/on the blog about how people tend to be more devoted to things when they are part of the process.
Do you think this related to charter schools?
Amanda, I loved your quote at the beginning of your blog, “the right choice for parents and the real chance for children". Today, there are so many choices parents can make in the educating of their children, and I think this is a good thing. Like you, I believe concerned parents know what is best for their children, and so they do what they need to do to get the appropriate education which will suit their child’s needs. Fortunately, Charter schools and vouchers are out there to help even the neediest of families. So why choose Charter schools? I found it interesting in the Education Week article, “Charter Schools”, that the main reason charter schools are so appealing to parents is because of the small classroom size. Parents must feel that their child will receive more individualized attention at a Charter School. Also, in the article, these smaller schools are seen as producing higher achievement, more individualized instruction, a safe environment and more active student involvement. I bet that in most Charter schools, more parents are actively involved as well. It seems to me that this is the case at the Charter school you are at.
ReplyDeleteHaving only been at Constellation for 2 weeks now, I see where you are coming from when you speak so highly of your school. I feel that our schools are one of the best charter schools around. I am glad that parents in Cleveland have to option and CHOICE to send their kids to our schools. We do have great learning opportunities for those kids who need us the most.
ReplyDeleteAmanda I also work at a charter school and I also like how my school focuses on character education. I think that the character education program really helps the students to focus on improving their behavior. I work with special needs students and some are struggling more than others. Some of these students are more devoted to their education than others but the staff is highly qualified and does a great deal to help each child succeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your positive experience in a charter school Amanda! I recently accepted a long-term substitute position at a charter school that specifically caters to children with ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. It doesn't begin for a couple of weeks, but from what I have seen in the few times that I have been there is evidence that supports my idea of the "public" school environment not being the best place to learn for all students. At this school students are in classes no bigger than 15 with 2 teachers (one lead and an assistant). The students all participate in a martial arts program a few times a week and their character education follows the Scouting program. It is my belief that students who attend Summit Academy might otherwise be struggling in a different school setting, and this school really gives them a chance to succeed.
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