The page editors of the P & C' s Local & State section have a sense of humor. How else to explain the following side-by-side headlines in Wednesday's paper: "S.C. Schools Static on Federal Goals: Results Expected to Dive Next Year" and "Group Vows to Fight New Charter School: Johns Island Gathering Backs Haut Gap."
McGinley and Rex can try damage control by touting how much higher S.C.'s standards are than those of other states, but the reality remains. While the state has one of the lowest percentages of students to make it into the twelfth grade, it also leads in having the lowest SAT scores. How those scores would plummet if every student stayed in school and took the SAT (as required in Maine) probably would mirror the "dive" coming next year in meeting AYP!
Back to Haut Gap. Does anyone believe it met AYP for this year? How much might it have improved from the overall score of 65% below basic on the PACT in 2006? What does it say about the school that its rally against the charter school drew only "more than 20" from the community, perhaps half of whom were district, school, and community leaders? Let's hear a few comments from parents who have children in that school NOW. Maybe they would like a choice, too.
Meanwhile, fear of segregation is less of a motivation here than keeping a new school building for Haut Gap on schedule for 2008, as the Rev. Michael Mack, PTA President and "community advocate" has admitted previously. The planned new building will double the size of the present student body, even though Principal Padron brags on the school's website that its small size allows for "smaller learning communities and individualized instruction."
Fortunately, with S.C.'s new legislation this charter school need not apply to CCSD for approval to go through the Alice-in-Wonderland contortions faced by the downtown Charter High School for Math and Science. One participant in the meeting did have a good idea, however: why not take Haut Gap charter? Then the Haut Gap supporters would need not go, hat in hand, to the CCSD Board meeting on November 12 to "get the money and resources it needs."
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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8 comments:
I agree with both positions. CCSD owes Haut Gap a new building. It's one of those left over in the transition from the old duel (segregated) county public school system to CCSD. So that means it's pushing 50 years old. What a bargin! CCSD got to drive that school into the ground with almost no capital investment in it before now. Yes, CCSD should deliver on their long over due promise for a new Haut Gap School. Certainly the St. Johns District taxpayers (which includes Kiawah and Seabrook) have paid for it already many times over.
On the second position. After they build the new building, Haut Gap parents and teachers should consider going charter. No sense in continuing to be one of the whipping boys for CCSD any longer than they already have been. They can proudly write their own ticket instead of begging for CCSD's crumbs.
A lot of retired executives in the neighborhood would be glad to help Haut Gap explore its options (charter or anything else) if Rev. Mack and others would only ask. It's the Haut Gap and Johns Islanders' play now to win or loose. Forget Horizon Charter School. It's a potential partner if Haut Gap wants it that way, but this new charter school definately won't become a road block.
CCSD is going to do what CCSD wants regardless of Horizon. Haut Gap supporters are worried about the wrong group. They should be directing their demands toward CCSD to make sure CCSD delivers on the new school building.
The only negative thought with Haut Gap instead of the Horizon is if Michael Mack isn't running the show he won't play with you. He would absolutely drive them crazy with his negativism. But, would that be a good thing for Haut Gap without a doubt. But, I assure you it would never get off the ground because the Mack's would bring in Darby and Scott and then we all know where they will go. Next Hillery would come in chest bumping any white community person that disagrees with him. But, all the schools on John's Island, but the high school need to be replaced. I went into Haut Gap. It is meticulously clean but very out dated. Time for the makeover. It is slated to be rebuilt in this current Capitol Improvement Plan, but, if Bill Lewis moves any slower the kids currently there will be in college before the school is built.
That's the trouble with these CCSD people. They see these issues as part of a formula or time line and not conditions involving real people with real lives. The fact that Haut Gap is meticulously kept clean by its occupant is a good sign of community support for what they have. As for the Mack's bringing in outside 'activists for hire' they'd quickly be upstaged by those media hounds. It wouldn't be their show any more.
What does it mean now that Burke High is again listed as failing AYP for 5 or more years? State and federal laws require that title one schools must be "restructured" after this happens. I thought that Burke WAS restructured last year. Isn't that what MGJ's big tear jerker testimonial said she was doing when she appeared before the state school board in 2006?
So tell me, if Burke has yet to be "restructured", then why is CCSD spinning its wheels about starting up a new Low Tech High at Rivers while Burke is still in trouble? Wouldn't it make better sense to put CCSD's undivided attention and resources into "restructuring" Burke as the law requires? How much of a priority is Burke to CCSD?
And since "going charter" is one of the options, why has CCSD's top dog not once mentioned this as an option for Burke? With all the community support for Burke it sounds like Burke would be a perfect candidate for "going charter" with CCSD's support. Of course, we know it's really NOT about the children at all...it's about control.
What a picture this would make! If Burke High School were to become a community based charter school, the school and its alumni might finally be able to break the chains that CCSD placed on them so long ago.
Check out the Kipp Foundation ...they've helped many traditionally African-American schools like Burke become great charter schools. Some great examples are as close as Atlanta.
You're very wise, "poster above me."
What IS going on? I'm afraid noone knows.
Unfortunately, I have no faith in the SC Dept of Education or it's board. Maybe the federal govt. can be our hope.
The sad thing is that over 900 middle school children live on Johns Island, but the enrollment at Haut Gap is approximately 300. Why do parents not support Haut Gap? Because it's a failing school! I live on the island and my middle schooler does NOT go to Haut Gap because it is FAILING! And do I want my child to be the "guinea pig" for supporting a failing school? NO! Why are people scared of competition? They say it will create segregated schools on the island...have they looked at the island's school population now???? The more choices we have for our children, the better!!
In many cities the African-American community is calling for more options. Unlike some Charleston church leaders, other cities don't always accept without question what existing school boards say is best for them. Charter schools have often been embraced by the NAACP whenever this option offers minority students better alternatives among public schools. It makes no sense for the black community on Johns Island (or any where else in Charleston County) to stand behind CCSD in maintaining public schools as they now are. CCSD's promise that change is coming isn't believable anymore. The most democratic and publicly responsible thing the people of Johns Island could do is to get behind this new charter school. With their guidance it will more likely meet local student needs that Haut Gap obviously isn't doing under the directions and limitations imposed on it by CCSD.
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