The Promise, the Evidence, and the Politics of Charter Schools in NJ

Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Location: Highland Park, NJ

Speakers:
Stan Karp - Education Law Center
Julia Sass Rubin - Save Our Schools NJ
Dallas Dixon - Emily Fisher Charter School
Michelle Fine - Professor of Social Psychology, Women's Studies, and Urban Education at the Graduate Center, CUNY

This was a great event to attend. I have heard many different things about charter schools, without knowing their history or current policies. This event both provided the history of charter school as well as the current policies that regulate them. I also enjoyed the event because the speakers did not take a position on charter schools, so I was able to absorb and reflect on the information, rather than react with strong emotion.

The charter school movement began as a social justice movement. Educators and community members felt they were being betrayed by traditional public schools, so they created small, teacher driven schools. Over the past 10 years, these schools transitioned into a language of opposition and got tied into dismantling districts. Currently, charter schools exacerbate segregation and do not represent the demographics of their sending district. There is a study on NJ charter schools, currently in process, that is investigating whether charter schools represent the demographics of their sending district. The demographic categories are special education, limited English proficiency, and free/reduced lunch.  Once complete, the report will be posted at edlawcenter.org.

The following are current charter school policies:

1. The decision to open/close a charter school is made by the Commissioner of Education. There are no restrictions on how the Commissioner approves a school. The Commissioner appoints a charter review team, who reviews proposals. They do not have to factor in local community wishes, which undermines local democratic control.

Solution: There is a proposed Bill for locals to vote on charters. It has been re-introduced for the 2nd time. It has passed the assembly and is waiting on a senate vote.

2. The demographics of charter schools do not represent the sending communities. The lottery system is highly selective and dependent on parents signing up their children. Parents in urban districts might not be receiving enough notice. In addition, special needs parents are hesitant to send their kids due to a lack of support services within the charter school. As a result, there is "academic cream skimming."

Solution: A2147 opt out lottery: All children in the sending community will be put into the lottery. Then, the children have the option of opting out of the school, rather than the school rejecting the students. There are 15 state sponsors in favor of this bill!

3. There is an introduction of virtual charter schools in NJ. Virtual charter schools are not mentioned in the initial law; therefore there are no written regulations on them. A virtual charter is slated to open in fall 2012. Not much more information was given, but something to think about is: what happens to teachers, students, the institution of school when the whole curriculum is put online?


General Charter School Information:

1. 90% of student money goes to the charter     ex: $15,000 in district, $12,000 in charter

2. National patterns on performance:
1/3 below
56% same
20% better

3. NJ began with 89 charter schools. Now there are 112.


I hope this information finds you well and helps in formulating your knowledge on charter schools.