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Wow - Birney went charter 2010-2011. I'm not that impressed with the test scores!
sprice5795 April 29, 2012
The SRC in Philadelphia is pushing for Charter schools. All we hear in the state is Charter schools. I'm not that impressed.
MagnetMom April 30, 2012
Hi sprice5795,
A few "food for thought" comments.
First off, you're right. Sometimes having a choice doesn't necessarily make it better.
That being said, there are many happy parents in charter schools. In fact, some actually de-emphasize mandatory testing, and that fact alone attracts people.
In addition, charters are not allowed to choose their populations--they must accept their students by lottery, so they're receiving the same students that public schools receive.
It can take a few years for the charter school's philosophy and teaching methods to really kick in.
Charters provide a choice for parents. And in some cases that's a good thing, and in others, it's not much of a benefit.
Good luck in your decision.78099
TeacherParent May 1, 2012
There's not even a whisper of charter schools out here in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Charter schools have really only arisen in the more challenged cities like Philly, Chester, and Coatesville.
Are the test scores better in public schools in Philadelphia? I'd say we shouldn't judge any school by its test scores but every child deserves to go to a clean, well-kept and reasonably sized school. If the parents of students in a charter school are unhappy, they can pull their children out. That the charter schools continue on says - despite their test scores - parents are still happy to have their children in a charter school.78134
TeacherParent May 7, 2012
It also deserves to be understood that the SRC in Philly is pushing for charter schools as a last-ditch, desperate measure - it's their way of getting Philadelphia out of the 'public school business'. The Philadelphia public schools have lost almost half their students to charter schools - it's become impossible for Philadelphia School District to remain solvent.
They either half to shut the charter schools down altogether and force families back into the public schools or - shut down Philadelphia School District. They're struggling to find a middle ground and trying to limit the number of students the charter schools may accept.
You can't keep your public schools open if they're only half-full.78253
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