A burgeoning mystery is mushrooming right now in South Carolina.
More and more parents are trying to sign up their children for charter schools approved by the South Carolina Charter District, or, as the P&C phrases it, "Parents are virtually beating the doors down to get their kids into the poorest school district in America."
See Poorest District Fights to Survive in Monday's paper.
Monday, August 30, 2010
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3 comments:
"...charter schools won't be allowed to let their academics drag, Brazell said. It will mean the death sentence to charter schools that don't live up to their mission. Unlike other public schools, if a charter school fails, it gets shut down."
Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could just fire all those public school administrators whose jobs depend on keeping failing programs going, and going and going, with no change or possibility of significant improvement in sight.
As a parent with 3 children currently enrolled in SCVCS, I speak from direct experience with virtual schooling.
My children use to attend a highly-regarded traditional school in the Upstate. The test scores for this school were consistently some of the best in the state. My children did well in their classes and on their standardize testing. I thought all was well. I, however, was wrong.
We moved to another part of the state. In checking the school districts for this new area, I was distressed at our options. I stumbled upon SCVCS in my research online. I was impressed with the curriculum. I was daunted about becoming so responsible for my children's education, but as my husband said, "no one else could care more."
Beginning our 2nd year, I cannot believe the insidious deficits in their education the children have overcome. We experience joy in learning. The children spontaneously seek out new opportunities to expand their horizons.
I know this method of education is not for everyone. The time commitment from the parents is enormous. The payback, however, is priceless.
I am distressed to see how unsupported our school is by the state. I have had more communication and cooperation with our current teachers than I ever had while enrolled in the traditional school.
South Carolina is lagging behind in education. Shouldn’t we all try and support different options? Shouldn’t we help our children succeed? I am willing to give everything I have to that proposition. Are you?
It makes no sense for traditional public schools and those who run them to continue to view charter schools and certified homeschool programs as "the enemy". These should be seen as viable alternatives or options within the total picture of public education in SC. Until this happens and appropriate resources are equitably shared with all public education programs there will continue to be pressure for vouchers. By standing in the school house door, some very traditional public school supporters are actually undermining their cause. They need to see charters and homeschool programs as allies where innovation and experimentation should be encouraged. How else can new ideas be tried and proven before they are adapted by the more traditional schools in our state?
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