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In michigan the only difference is the management company. 90% are philosophically identical--run up enrollment for huge FTE, then throw out the bad apples after count day.
How far into the school year is count day? Throwing out the bad apples might help some teachers who are burn outs.
Most important to talk to teachers, principal, administrators, and parents and do not be impressed by just one person. Must have all parties be top players. If only you are really impressed by just one or two or...., it is a major sign of failure. Too often I have seen Charter Schools open as a result of some individual who has little knowledge and little background deciding to do it. Often they have an agenda but have no understanding and experience with education--but a desire that they can do it better. Proceed with caution.
I, too, know of cases where this has happened (at private...and also nonunion...schools, not charter, though). However, a witch hunt can affect teachers at unionized schools, as well. The union will not always be enough to protect people who are wrongfully accused...even if they are cleared, their lives as educators can assuredly be over, because once things are said, they can't be unsaid. It sucks. Were I a guy, I wouldn't teach for all the money in the world, for this reason. I have known personally of too many instances of trumped up and eventually found to be false allegations(not that it mattered, because the damage was already done) of improprieties having been leveled against good male teachers. Unfortunately, male teachers are easy targets.
Teachers are also underpaid. The school I attended in Belgium was run by the British and it was very disciplined and organized; the kids behaved themselves. When I came back to the states, the school I went to was out of control and the teachers were at their wits' end. Plenty of bullies and other idiot students, the school was underfunded, etc. Couldn't believe how violent the students were. The underfunding of the social safety net in this country due to right-wing anti-tax morons has dragged the education system down along with everything else.
Another charter school observation (based on my MI experience) Why do charters schools have such a LOW incident rate of IEP students? I am talking like less than 10%, closer to 5%?
Teachers are also underpaid. The school I attended in Belgium was run by the British and it was very disciplined and organized; the kids behaved themselves. When I came back to the states, the school I went to was out of control and the teachers were at their wits' end. Plenty of bullies and other idiot students, the school was underfunded, etc. Couldn't believe how violent the students were. The underfunding of the social safety net in this country due to right-wing anti-tax morons has dragged the education system down along with everything else.
My daughter taught in a charter school in NYC for one year. With only two years of teaching experience under her belt, she was one of the more experienced teachers and readily admitted that she was in over her head. Administration gave conflicting rules, she had to make her own curriculum and the pay was less then it had been in the very nice district she taught in previously. They had their charter revoked the following year. Less then a mile from her school was another charter that was held up as a model school.
My daughter taught in a charter school in NYC for one year. With only two years of teaching experience under her belt, she was one of the more experienced teachers and readily admitted that she was in over her head. Administration gave conflicting rules, she had to make her own curriculum and the pay was less then it had been in the very nice district she taught in previously. They had their charter revoked the following year. Less then a mile from her school was another charter that was held up as a model school.
I was conveying the fact that I was able to compare the European school with the American schools I have attended. Do you understand? I also attended school in Canada and it was also better-run. The problem is the US has a paltry, under-funded social safety net, including no single-payer health care, thus children have a lot more problems to deal with than math. You need to get it together and take care of your people. Stop being servants to the rich. $60K is not enough for the responsibilities of an American teacher and what they have to deal with.
I was conveying the fact that I was able to compare the European school with the American schools I have attended. Do you understand? I also attended school in Canada and it was also better-run. The problem is the US has a paltry, under-funded social safety net, including no single-payer health care, thus children have a lot more problems to deal with than math. You need to get it together and take care of your people. Stop being servants to the rich. $60K is not enough for the responsibilities of an American teacher and what they have to deal with.
Perhaps you are the one that is confused. You are able to compare the schools you attended to each other. Different states fund their school systems differently and have different graduation requirements.
Let's keep this discussion about Charter Schools please. Any experience with them?
Many teachers and staff in unionized charter schools report high levels of job satisfaction, noting that they benefit from the protections and rights of a union, and the freedom and flexibility of a charter.'
'In a landmark address in 1988, former AFT president Albert Shanker became one of the first education leaders to champion the concept of charter schools. Shanker envisioned teacher-led laboratories of reform that would experiment with new instructional practices.
Last edited by toobusytoday; 02-07-2013 at 11:45 AM..
Reason: link and snippet please
Many teachers and staff in unionized charter schools report high levels of job satisfaction, noting that they benefit from the protections and rights of a union, and the freedom and flexibility of a charter.'
'In a landmark address in 1988, former AFT president Albert Shanker became one of the first education leaders to champion the concept of charter schools. Shanker envisioned teacher-led laboratories of reform that would experiment with new instructional practices.
Yep, some charter schools work.... At least the ones that were studied in 1988 did.
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