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State/local leaders debate charter schools
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Last night, state and local school leaders sat down at the Botanical Gardens for a discussion on what new charter school legislation would mean for Alabama students.
This new charter school bill focuses on low-performing districts including Birmingham City Schools. Many of these districts are against the idea of charter schools - launching a debate about what's best for Alabama students.
HB 650 - aims to incorporate charters schools into districts with low state scores.
Arguments in favor of the bill, highlight the flexibility of charter schools. Panelists say charter campuses will have longer instruction time for children who are falling behind.
"We have schools that are chronically under performing," Sally Howell, Alabama Association of School Boards said. "To look and tell those parents and those students that they don't have another option..we thought that was wrong."
These schools will also provide "experts" to teach courses- who might otherwise not be certified to teach.
"We have families and students who live in areas that don't have access to opportunities that children in other parts of the state have and we really want to find lots of different ways to give kids that access," Emily Schultz, Education Policy Director said.
On the other side, Birmingham Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon and state board member, Dr. Yvette Richardson - say the problem with charter schools is the cash flow. They say the focus should be improving education in existing public schools.
"Whether you have charter schools or not, there are still going to be children in public schools - and public schools have to be viable, they have to be a way and means to allow students to be successful," Dr. Witherspoon said.
"Bottom line is if charter schools come to Alabama, they are going to take our kids, take our money from the state and federal government that goes along with those kids," Lance Hyche, Alabama Education Association said.
"I feel all schools, whether affluent areas, inner city, or rural - we need to look at the components to make all schools great schools because all children deserve a quality education," Dr. Richardson said
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Keywords: State, charter schools, Alabama, students,
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