Perusing the Spirit of Knowledge charter application.
Worth noting: this application was made prior to the new law requiring that new charters include a parallel proportion of children who have special education, ELL, and other needs to the sending communities (something which is not true of current Worcester charter schools).
The applicants also have no record of improving achievement among children with achievement gaps (also a requirement under the ed reform law). While they run a charter school in Marlboro, they haven't dealt with achievement gaps as they would in Worcester.
The application makes no moves in that direction--in fact, one would say that the core principals to some extent preclude it--and so the Commissioner is recommending it...regardless? Ignoring the law? Assuming they'll change?
No idea there.
UPDATED:aha! As Worcester is not quite yet at the old cap, this school falls under the old rules. Only ADDITIONAL schools (yes, to this one!) will have to reflect the sending community. So this one can skim the student it likes from the system without any reflection of the rather lengthy list of attributes the ed reform law required (special ed, ELL, free and reduced lunch, ethnicity, etc).
did you see that president of Worcester State and president of QCC endorsed the proposal? Does that hold any water with you.
ReplyDeleteWould you always oppose a chrter school in Worcester?
If you were open to one, what criteria would you use to evaluate a proposal?
Is that data in the application about WPS performance accurate in your mind? do taht many kids need remedial education in college after graduating from WPS?
I am not trying to be confrontational, feels like charter schools don't get a fair shake on the blogs