In an earlier post, Karen Francisco (editorial page editor of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette) lamented that failing charters escape accountability by turning into voucher schools or shopping for an authorizer with low standards. When challenged by a reader, Francisco explained what happened in Fort Wayne.
She wrote:
“In fact, the two failed Imagine Inc. charter schools in Fort Wayne are being converted to voucher schools. The local charter board has been dismissed, loans forgiven and Indiana taxpayers will continue to pay Bakke’s company to operate two underperforming schools. In addition, an out-of-state real estate investment trust — EPT Properties — will continue to collect about $1 million a year for the charter school lease. Instead of through the charter board, the tax dollars now will be funneled through low- and middle-income families to a religious organization and, in turn, to the REIT.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Good examples of why vouchers are a bad idea.
When was Francisco’s comment published? Edd Doerr
Francisco’s comment was posted about an hour ago
Yes, but I wonder if all this was just part of the journey to get to vouchers? Remember, people didn’t like to even hear the word voucher. This is what Friedman really wanted. So, what other way could privatizaters make inroads into public schools? A lot of rhetoric about failing public schools, bad teachers, unions controlling school corporations, too much money spent on education in this country etc…the word “Charter” was much more palatable to the public. Now, vouchers are the word of the day.
How does this stuff continue to happen? If it so obvious to the readers, how come politicians don’t see it? How come reporters who cover governments don’t see it?
Because the people who elect them don’t see it. The people who tune in to to and read easily accessible media don’t see it.
Most people I talk to have no clue. One cousin became concerned because of how common core affected his third grader but until it is personal, most don’t pay attention . And most glaze over when I start talking about it. It seems like it matters no more than what grocery store to go to.
Another nice scam.
It happens in part because some educators insist that the only choice low income families should have is what a local board decides. It happens because some people who sent their kids to private schools say they don’t want families to have educational options. It happens because there are public schools, both district and charter, that have brought low income kids up to achievement levels and graduation rates of schools serving students from much higher income.
I know some people who post here don’t like what is written above, but those are some of the reasons it happens.
Oh, now I get it, Joe: corrupt charter and voucher schools, and the process that let’s them loot with impunity, is the fault of the public schools and their supporters.
Now, are we to think you are actually deluded enough to believe it, or do you just think we’re that stupid?
Sure are people here who are quick with the insults.
Someone asked why we have charters, and I gave you some of the answers. As you may recall, the late Rosa Parks worked on started charters during the last decade of her life.
Are there some corrupt people in the charter world. Absolutely – and some corrupt people in teacher unions and in school districts.
Anti union people have their own lists of teacher union scandals, just like some of you list charter scandals.
I’ve seen terrific and horrific charters, and terrific and horrific union leaders.
“. It happens because some people who sent their kids to private schools say they don’t want families to have educational options. ”
Anybody who wants to can send their child to a private school, except in areas where they don’t exist. They have choices with how they spend their money
Ed, there are people on this list serve who post regularly, have sent their children to private school and vigorously oppose charters. Some who oppose charters here and elsewhere are parents who have sent their children to quasi private magnet schools with steep admissions tests that block most kids from attending. Some who oppose charters are people who sent their children to suburban schools that enroll a tiny percentage, if any of students from low income families.
I’ll readily concept that there are some charlatans involved in the charter movement. There are some who see the charter movement as a way to make money. But my 40+ year experience suggests that this also is true of district public schools.
Part of our work is bringing together district and charter educators who are open to learning from eachother. For example, we’re working with a group of St. Paul, Mn district and charter educators who are finding ways to increase the # of students taking college level courses while still in high school.
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_23076316/homeroom-collaborative-effort-gives-high-school-students-better
At the request of the Mn Dept of Education, we’re doing the same with primarily district & some charter educators in rural, suburban and urban communities.
http://centerforschoolchange.org/2013/06/youth-panel-describes-value-of-high-schoolcollege-collaborations/
That might depend on how much money the family has. My local public elementary school has nearly 59% of students on free or reduced price lunch. It would be hard for those families to afford the $9,000 dollar tuition of the private Montessori school. The progressive and Waldorf schools charge about the same tuition.
I see it more like some people see that more good can come for those who can least afford education if those who can most afford it accept that they are in community with “the least of these my brethren” and work to find ways to provide a free and appropriate education for any and all within a community without taking their ball and going home.
But I was raised in a very religious home that looked for opportunities for community-building in all places, for all people.
Life is short. All we have is one another.
Do you find much interest in community building here? No one wants to include me in the community. Folks here seem to mean community only on their own terms, that everyone toe the same ideological line. Your own mother would probably not be welcome. She might approve of the new abortion guidelines in Texas. But here a pink sneakered, catheritized opponent to higher health standards in abortion clinics is heroized, and if one dissents, one is vilified. Some community! Joe Nathan is right. Charters offer an out to such mental lock step. To say that religion may have something to it likewise leads to shunning vilification here. Must we compel secularism on children who still believe in Santa Clause? Vouchers become a speakable word. When is community not community? When it becomes rigidly intolerant, as in the public school classroom.
Harlan: I think the goal of this blog is discussion; so in a way it leads to community and yes you are part of that.
Your comments often include ad hominem attacks and so I believe that, anymore, regular readers are defensive with you coming out of the gate.
Disagreeing politely is possible.
That said, Archie Bunker was a very popular character.
Bringing someone’s mother into a conversation is not cool.
HU,
What is the basis for your last statement?: “When it becomes rigidly intolerant, as in the public school classroom.”
Duane
TE, In the Archdiocese of Washington, the Catholic parochial can be had for under $6000. (http://site.adw.org/prince-george-s-county)
My daughter had a classmate (with a sister) who attended the school. Their father was a house painter and the mother worked at Burger King during the day and as an office cleaner at night. They lived in the basement of a single family home in Adelphi. (http://goo.gl/VMn8x)
Washington DC is one of the top ten most expensive areas to live.
How hard would it be to not allow a failing charter school to convert to a voucher school?
Since I disagree with the voucher idea, I think it’s a bad idea to allow a failing charter to convert to voucher status. The vast majority of states with charter laws do not have voucher laws.
The Mn legislator who was chief author of the nation’s first charter law has written often about how and why she opposes vouchers.