A new report from the state auditor general shows how charters and cyber charters are overpaid, while the public system–which most children attend–get the short end of the stick.
“PA cybercharters avg cost of $10,145 was $3,500 more than national average of $6,500.
“PA charters spent avg $13,411 per student, about $3K more than national average of $10K.
“Fixing PA’s Charter School Formula Could Save $365 Million a Year in Taxpayer Money.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Half of the charter and cyber charters must have been paid more than the national average. Without knowing the other moments of the distribution it is difficult to know how to evaluate these average payments.
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Why would they fund using an average? That’s silly. What does it cost to actually run the school and how much is going to advertising and profit?
80% of Michigan charters are for-profit. Why use Michigan as a baseline? Why not actually look at what these schools are spending?
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I agree that comparing spending in Pennsylvania to national averages is not especially informative.
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These are the type of reports that will eventually enable the general population to figure out what is going on. I think most people don’t even know. I am eager for this type of red flag to go up before NC gets to that point! I think eventually people will not stand for it.
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It’s never mentioned by the school reform industry, but cyber charters spend millions on advertising:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/29/online-charter-schools-advertising_n_2212335.html
“While Pennsylvania cyber charter schools received about the same funding level as bricks-and-mortar charter schools, they spent an average of $10,145 per student, reflecting their lower operating costs.”
That accounts for some of the money, but how are these schools spending $10,000 a year when their “class sizes” are as high as 250?
Also, no PA cyber charter made adequate yearly progress. They have an absolutely deplorable record in Ohio, too, although they’re wildly profitable.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/no-cyber-charter-school-in-pennsylvania-made-adequate-yearly-progress-671590/
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I don’t follow the comparison to national averages. If these are state funded, isn’t the correct comparison to public schools in Pennsylvania? By the same token, what if PA public schools spent more per student than the national average — would we propose that they be give less funding in order to save taxpayer money? What am I missing on this?
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Ms. Ravitch,
I just wanted to forward you a job description I found on a job hunting site. It came to my email as something I might be interested in. It’s allegedly in the field of education, but the job requirements do not have educational experience at all. I know this isn’t new, but it is sad that a district I felt pushed out of (Houston ISD) is still continuing to carry out hurtful policies and practices on our most vulnerable students. Of course, The New Teacher Project has been around and in various iterations for years, but I found this to be particularly insidious (and perhaps cynical). If you look at the job qualifications, and then compare it to the lip service it pays to education in the description of “Who We Are”, there is a large disconnect. They are not interested in people that know education and best practices, but people who “including the ability to motivate and influence the decisions of high-level clients”. Read it and weep. I did.
Job Description
*Partner – Houston Foundations of Teacher Excellence*
*Houston, TX*
**
*Seeking dynamic education leader to lead district-wide change*
TNTP seeks a full-time *Partner* for our Houston Foundations of Teacher Excellence contract. This position is based in Houston, TX and is available immediately.
*Who We Are*
TNTP strives to end the injustice of educational inequality by providing excellent teachers to the students who need them most and by advancing policies and practices that ensure effective teaching in every classroom. A national nonprofit organization founded by teachers, TNTP is driven by the knowledge that effective teachers have a greater impact on student achievement than any other school factor. In response, TNTP develops customized programs and policy interventions that enable education leaders to find, develop and keep great teachers.
The Houston Independent School District (HISD), one of the nation’s largest, is at the leading edge of education reform in pursuit of an ambitious goal: effective teaching in every classroom, for every student, every day. In an intensive, long-term engagement, Houston Foundations is working alongside district leaders to transform the way HISD recruits, hires, develops, and holds onto its teachers. For more information, visit hisdeffectiveteachers.org .
*Who We Want*
TNTP pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in public education every day, and we seek candidates who share our vision of ending educational inequality. Our employees are bright, dynamic, and dedicated to overcoming incredible challenges in order to achieve remarkable results. More than a job, working at TNTP is a commitment. Every job is essential, and every employee’s contributions and ideas are integral to our success.
The *Partner *is a critical leader at TNTP – managing our key functions or contracts, generating much of our content and strategy, and serving as the face of the organization to our clients and external stakeholders. Working within HISD, alongside district staff, the Partner will lead our team to tackle complex challenges with innovative and nuanced solutions. Specifically, the Partner will provide the leadership, strategic direction, decisive decision making, and client and team management necessary to ensure the success of our Houston Foundations of Teacher Excellence contract.
We are looking for an articulate, compelling education leader who is motivated by a vision of reform that positions schools and districts, particularly those serving the highest-need students, to support student achievement above all. The Partner must be able to develop specific strategies to achieve goals, lead and manage teams by exercising sound judgment around how best to attain these goals and deliver high quality service to our district clients. The successful candidate will bring confidence and credibility to their ideas by basing solutions in thoughtful rationale and keen analysis, ultimately resulting in district-wide change that positions schools as thriving organizations that support effective teaching and strong student outcomes.
*What We Offer*
TNTP offers a motivated team of dynamic colleagues, a collegial atmosphere that values professional development and the free exchange of feedback, a comprehensive benefits plan effective on the first day of employment – including low cost medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, a 403(b) plan with employer match, potential opportunities for performance based bonuses – as well as the opportunity to influence the direction of a growing, mission-driven organization that is committed to the success of our nation’s children. For more information on TNTP’s competitive benefits package, please visit http://tntp.org/join/our-benefits/.
* Qualifications*
Demonstrated success navigating and managing complex and nuanced relationships, including the ability to motivate and influence the decisions of high-level clients
– Experience leading complex organizational change efforts – The ability to critically assess challenges and identify innovative, effective solutions in ambiguous situations – Excellent management skills, including experience effectively managing staff and developing talent to achieve ambitious goals – Excellent project management skills and an ability to work efficiently and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment – A commitment to producing consistently high quality, detailed work
* Compensation*
The annual salary for this full-time position is $100,000 or commensurate with experience in a similar position with the potential for a performance based bonus. TNTP may also offer a relocation stipend to help defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
Job Requirements
*Qualifications*
Demonstrated success navigating and managing complex and nuanced relationships, including the ability to motivate and influence the decisions of high-level clients
– Experience leading complex organizational change efforts – The ability to critically assess challenges and identify innovative, effective solutions in ambiguous situations – Excellent management skills, including experience effectively managing staff and developing talent to achieve ambitious goals – Excellent project management skills and an ability to work efficiently and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment – A commitment to producing consistently high quality, detailed work
Regards,
Meghan Brannon-Reese
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Sorry, off-topic, but it appears that “independent” hearing officers are objecting to 14 of the 53 school closings in Chicago: http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2013/05/surprised-i-am-.html#comments
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