Charter Schools in Little Rock (public schools, kindergarten, special education)

[ccarter1]

We are an educational group working with a local Little Rock non-profit group to develop an open enrollment charter school that will use the performing and communication arts to develop poor readers in learning and reading competence and in content skill and development.

Although we are proposing a target population of special education students, poor readers, poor learners, and students who have had a hard time succeeding in traditional public school settings, we will (if approved) be an open enrollment school, open to students and families in the vicinity regardless of the circumstances of the students. Our school will teach the European masters (art) with a healthy dosage of artists from a variety of ethnic groups. Students will take instrumental and vocal music, participate in poetry sessions, dramas, create newspapers and magazines, and use the media of music, visual art, and drama to create productions that represent the content they are learning and that demonstrate their emerging development as language users.

We are interested in getting feedback from Little Rock citizens about their views on specialized charter schools such as the one we described above that uses the arts to open students' learning channels and to ensure that they master language skills as they learn and grow in content knowledge.

So what do you think, Little Rock? Is there a need for a school that provides hope to special education students? poor readers? poor learners? students who have historically failed?

I invite you to share your thoughts!

Thanks.

ccarter1

[kh501]

My child is dyslexic and not doing well in public schools. The ony charter school in Centra Arkansas is geared toward high achieving students. I would very much welcome an enviroment where my nine year old could thrive.

[musiclovermom]

My children have had great success in a school that is arts based. It gives the children additional outlets and ways to express themselves in conjunction with traditional learning methods. I think it is a wonderful idea. All children are capable of learning but at different rates. Children who are poor readers, spellers and special education tend to get shuffled to the rear and they need and deserve a quality education to become successful, contributing citizens in our society.

[jenni-b]

a need for a school that provides hope to special education students? poor readers? poor learners? students who have historically failed?

I think that sounds wonderful, if it does these things as promised.

[North Pulaski Player]

ccarter1, there is a huge need in the Little Rock area for a charter school that caters to children with special needs. As mentioned above, EStem only caters to high achieving students. You have a great idea on your hands ccarter1. It's just a matter of you or someone else actually applying it.

[Dr. Foosball]

I would be amazed if LR was granted another charter. They already have a lot of charter schools.

[turptracy]

My son has autism and is due to start Kindergarten next August. My daughter is in Kindergarten and loves art. My educational background is in Journalism and I think this sounds awesome!