Kim Coleman has written the first in a series about the RAND corporation's recent study of charter schools. The first debunks the myth that charters "skim the cream" from public schools.
In fact, RAND found "'no systematic evidence to support the fear that charter schools are skimming off the highest-achieving students.' The data showed prior test scores of students transferring to charter schools were near or below local averages in every geographic location included in the study."
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Using computers to individualize and improve instruction
The Daily Herald has an editorial today commenting on a new book from, Disrupting Class, Clayton Christensen on using technology to improve student performance in school.
School have invested a lot of money in computers, he argues, but haven't used them to improve efficiency or results, like other industries have.
Christensen's "disruptive innovation" theory holds that new technology and innovations improve things over the long run, but threaten to eventually destroy industry leaders that ignore new technology and possibilities until it's too late. Think how personal computers have completely replaced mainframes and led to Digital Computers demise, or more recently how the internet is hurting newspapers and iPods are hurting CD sales, or how Netflix has led to the fall of most video stores.
In each case consumers end up with what they want, but established companies who don't adjust to the new reality don't live to provide it.
Charters are a form of disruptive innovation. As charters focus on providing needed services to students who aren't getting what they need in public schools, the establishment will either have to adapt to the new changes, or they won't last.
Either way, education improves.
School have invested a lot of money in computers, he argues, but haven't used them to improve efficiency or results, like other industries have.
Christensen's "disruptive innovation" theory holds that new technology and innovations improve things over the long run, but threaten to eventually destroy industry leaders that ignore new technology and possibilities until it's too late. Think how personal computers have completely replaced mainframes and led to Digital Computers demise, or more recently how the internet is hurting newspapers and iPods are hurting CD sales, or how Netflix has led to the fall of most video stores.
In each case consumers end up with what they want, but established companies who don't adjust to the new reality don't live to provide it.
Charters are a form of disruptive innovation. As charters focus on providing needed services to students who aren't getting what they need in public schools, the establishment will either have to adapt to the new changes, or they won't last.
Either way, education improves.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
An Innovative way to raise money
A teacher at a school in Pocatello, Idaho is on the leading edge in raising classroom funds for her supplies.
I have never certainly never seen a school do this before, but schools have routinely sold sponsorships on fields, gyms, hallways, and even classrooms. Is this any different? Would such sponsorthips interfere with learning?
At least one person thinks so. "'It crosses a line,' said Susan Linn, a Harvard psychologist and director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. 'When teachers start becoming pitchmen for products, children suffer and their education suffers as well.'" I hear that concern, but would want evidence. How do children and their education suffer?
Read the whole story here.
From AP:
Molto Caldo Pizzeria, about a mile from the high school, agreed to supply paper for Harrison's five classes — 10,000 sheets, valued at $315, and imprinted with a pizza ad. That should be enough paper for the rest of this school year and all of the next one.
As school districts across the country face the worst economic outlook in decades, educators who have long reached into their own pockets to buy classroom supplies are finding creative ways to cover expenses. But selling ads on schoolwork is practically unheard of.
I have never certainly never seen a school do this before, but schools have routinely sold sponsorships on fields, gyms, hallways, and even classrooms. Is this any different? Would such sponsorthips interfere with learning?
At least one person thinks so. "'It crosses a line,' said Susan Linn, a Harvard psychologist and director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. 'When teachers start becoming pitchmen for products, children suffer and their education suffers as well.'" I hear that concern, but would want evidence. How do children and their education suffer?
Read the whole story here.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Innovations in Colorado
Yesterday I went to Colorado to tour two learning centers and meet with the leaders of the Hope Co-Op Online Learning Academy. This charter school concept is unlike anything in Utah. I understand that it is the only one of its kind in the country.
Hope is an online learning school that uses technology and the energy of local education innovators to leverage labor cost and provide quality and enhanced instruction to at-risk students.
The Co-Op nature of the school was fascinating. The "school" operates much like a district, which provides curriculum, administrative support, centralized services, and training. The "learning centers" where students attend and receive the online and supporting instruction, are operated independently by community leaders and education innovators.
The learning centers are kind of like franchises that sign up with the school. There are several dozen learning centers in the state serving about 3,500 students, with the average learning center serving under 100. While the curriculum and many internal practices are standardized, the learning centers have great flexibility to cater their own educational approach to the needs of their immediate community.
The results were groups of happy and successful children who had struggled in traditional schools, but who begin to achieve and excel in the environment that fits them.
It was quite remarkable.
Hope is an online learning school that uses technology and the energy of local education innovators to leverage labor cost and provide quality and enhanced instruction to at-risk students.
The Co-Op nature of the school was fascinating. The "school" operates much like a district, which provides curriculum, administrative support, centralized services, and training. The "learning centers" where students attend and receive the online and supporting instruction, are operated independently by community leaders and education innovators.
The learning centers are kind of like franchises that sign up with the school. There are several dozen learning centers in the state serving about 3,500 students, with the average learning center serving under 100. While the curriculum and many internal practices are standardized, the learning centers have great flexibility to cater their own educational approach to the needs of their immediate community.
The results were groups of happy and successful children who had struggled in traditional schools, but who begin to achieve and excel in the environment that fits them.
It was quite remarkable.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Short legislative update
I'll likely write an exhaustive legislative update in the coming days for UAPCS and my client schools. In the meantime, here's a bullet list version.
- Singapore Math funding failed
- A small performance pay program passed, allowing up to five elementary schools to apply
- Equal access for parent groups failed
- Overall funding for public ed was reduced about five percent (right in line with my early predictions), though because of exemptions and targets, charters will likely see a reduction to their overall budgets of less than three percent.
- Quality Teaching Block Grants were scrapped, as were Local Discretionary grants
- Schools may trim up to five days from their school year to deal with budget cuts
- After an unexpected kerfuffle, charter growth will be funded, and now there is real impetus to fix the funding flaw that allows districts to keep local funding for students who choose charter schools.
- The Daily Herald editorialized in favor of charter expansion, likening the funding of charters to merit pay for teachers.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Charter growth restrictions removed
The Senate passed a substitute version of H.B. 2 that had the restrictions on charter school growth removed. The bill now heads back to the house for concurrence with the Senate amendments. They should pass it, but if not the bill will go to a conference committee. If they can't reach agreement there, then I guess no public schools will operate next year because the legislature won't give them any money.
**UPDATE**
Moments ago (about 9 A.M. on Thursay) the House concurred with the Senate amendments and the bill therefore passes. Public schools will be funded and approved schools will be permitted to open. It was a crazy few days.
**UPDATE**
Moments ago (about 9 A.M. on Thursay) the House concurred with the Senate amendments and the bill therefore passes. Public schools will be funded and approved schools will be permitted to open. It was a crazy few days.
Restrictions on charter boards lifted
A few years ago the State Board of Education passed a rule restricting the make-up of charter school boards. The restriction took away the ability of schools to define parental involvement for themselves, and instead defined parental involvement as having an elected parent sitting on the governing board.
While that may be one way to involve parents, it's not the only way, and having that as a requirement stands in the way of alternative forms of governance and involvement, and keeps some innovative kinds of schools out of Utah.
Now schools will need to define parental involvement with their parents, instead of meeting an arbitrary standard set by the school board.
While that may be one way to involve parents, it's not the only way, and having that as a requirement stands in the way of alternative forms of governance and involvement, and keeps some innovative kinds of schools out of Utah.
Now schools will need to define parental involvement with their parents, instead of meeting an arbitrary standard set by the school board.
News on the "no charter growth" bill
Here are links to stories on HB2, which contains language that would freeze charter growth and enrollment, even rescinding approvals already given and growth plans that have been in place for years.
Tribune (I'm quoted in this one.)
Deseret Morning News
KCPW
Senator Stephenson has shown a real commitment to charter schools since the bill was released yesterday. He is the listed sponsor of the bill for the appropriations committee, but doesn't support the charter-killing sections. He has prepared an amendment that would remove the provisions and create a real solution to the funding differences.
His amendment moves us where we should go: all public school students should be treated and funded equally, no matter which model of public school they attend.
Tribune (I'm quoted in this one.)
Deseret Morning News
KCPW
Senator Stephenson has shown a real commitment to charter schools since the bill was released yesterday. He is the listed sponsor of the bill for the appropriations committee, but doesn't support the charter-killing sections. He has prepared an amendment that would remove the provisions and create a real solution to the funding differences.
His amendment moves us where we should go: all public school students should be treated and funded equally, no matter which model of public school they attend.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Obama wants what our state is getting rid of
In President Obama's first education address today, he came out strongly in favor of charter schools and other public education reforms.
Ironically, in the last few days, Utah has seen efforts to undo what Obama is now calling for. Republican Utah could soon be falling behind the education reform agenda of a Democratic president.
"Too many supporters of my party have resisted the idea of rewarding excellence in teaching with extra pay, even though we know it can make a difference in the classroom."
That's certainly true of Democrats in Utah, and over the weekend the performance-based compensation program our teachers was eliminated.
Obama said state limits on numbers of charter schools aren't "good for our children, our economy or our country."
But on Monday a bill was released that would freeze charter school growth, even going so far as to rescind approvals already given for new and expanding schools, and freezing the growth plans for schools that plan to grow over time. (Open High School of Utah, for example, opens this fall serving 9th grade, and has approval to add one grade level and 125 students for the next three years until it reaches full capacity. HB2 as introduced would cripple that school.)
Utah's current strong charter school laws have created a growing and robust charter school movement and environment in Utah. We have also been on the leading edge in reforms like Performance Pay, though the budget crisis and different priorities have eliminated that program.
This week has shown how three sentences in a massive funding bill can completely undermine that record of success. We must make sure that we stay in the forefront of education reform.
Ironically, in the last few days, Utah has seen efforts to undo what Obama is now calling for. Republican Utah could soon be falling behind the education reform agenda of a Democratic president.
"Too many supporters of my party have resisted the idea of rewarding excellence in teaching with extra pay, even though we know it can make a difference in the classroom."
That's certainly true of Democrats in Utah, and over the weekend the performance-based compensation program our teachers was eliminated.
Obama said state limits on numbers of charter schools aren't "good for our children, our economy or our country."
But on Monday a bill was released that would freeze charter school growth, even going so far as to rescind approvals already given for new and expanding schools, and freezing the growth plans for schools that plan to grow over time. (Open High School of Utah, for example, opens this fall serving 9th grade, and has approval to add one grade level and 125 students for the next three years until it reaches full capacity. HB2 as introduced would cripple that school.)
Utah's current strong charter school laws have created a growing and robust charter school movement and environment in Utah. We have also been on the leading edge in reforms like Performance Pay, though the budget crisis and different priorities have eliminated that program.
This week has shown how three sentences in a massive funding bill can completely undermine that record of success. We must make sure that we stay in the forefront of education reform.
Monday, March 9, 2009
No more charter schools
You'd think that headline for a post would be hyperbole, but it's not. I write this just after midnight on March 10. There are just three days left in the legislative session, and last night after most lawmakers had gone home, HB0002 was released. This is the typical bill that each year funds public education for the coming year.
But in this "school funding" bill is a provision that would "prohibit the expansion of charter schools" (lines 17 and 67-71). This would also rescind the authorization for the five new charter schools already approved to open, and the additional schools approved for expansion.
This bill is sponsored by Howard Stephenson, a strong charter supporter. He and our other strong supporters need help to strip this restrictive language out. Anyone who supports charter schools should call their Representative and Senators and tell them to remove this poison pill from the school funding bill.
**UPDATE**
The House defeated an amendment to change this language. Our stand is now in the Senate. Please call your Senators immediately.
But in this "school funding" bill is a provision that would "prohibit the expansion of charter schools" (lines 17 and 67-71). This would also rescind the authorization for the five new charter schools already approved to open, and the additional schools approved for expansion.
This bill is sponsored by Howard Stephenson, a strong charter supporter. He and our other strong supporters need help to strip this restrictive language out. Anyone who supports charter schools should call their Representative and Senators and tell them to remove this poison pill from the school funding bill.
**UPDATE**
The House defeated an amendment to change this language. Our stand is now in the Senate. Please call your Senators immediately.
Private schools converting to charters
Here's a very interesting article on Catholic schools converting to charters in Washington, D.C. and New York as a way to stay financially viable.
Just last fall, a private school in Utah was approved to convert to a charter school. Although it was not a religious school, it could be the continuing of a trend started back east and catching on.
Just last fall, a private school in Utah was approved to convert to a charter school. Although it was not a religious school, it could be the continuing of a trend started back east and catching on.
No performance pay
The State Office sent an email today announcing that, over the weekend, the remaining dollars for the one-time performance-based compensation program were removed. No schools will receive that funding this year.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
So THAT'S how the numbers got screwed up
Yesterday the Administrative Rules Review committee met to look into problems in the State Board rule for charter student participation in extracurricular activities at district schools.
Statute allows students to participate, and allows districts to charge charter schools for that participation. The State Board developed a fee schedule that was too high. So high, in fact, that followed through it would mean that football programs at some schools cost $9 million per year.
Larry Shumway, Deputy Superintendent, pledged to rework the calculations to accurately calculate what the fees should be, and to rewrite the rule for the April school board meeting. But how did the numbers get so far off in the first place?
Shumway had the answer, as Howard Stephenson, the chair of the committee, looked on: The fee schedule "makes sense only in two contexts. One, I guess, is that price would probably be right for a state championship football team. Or the other part I was going to say, Senator Stepheonson, is it might be right if we had used Singapore Math."
To hear it yourself, listen to the audio here. It's about eight minutes in.
I was sitting next to some parents from Alpine who chimed in, "Or Investigations Math."
Statute allows students to participate, and allows districts to charge charter schools for that participation. The State Board developed a fee schedule that was too high. So high, in fact, that followed through it would mean that football programs at some schools cost $9 million per year.
Larry Shumway, Deputy Superintendent, pledged to rework the calculations to accurately calculate what the fees should be, and to rewrite the rule for the April school board meeting. But how did the numbers get so far off in the first place?
Shumway had the answer, as Howard Stephenson, the chair of the committee, looked on: The fee schedule "makes sense only in two contexts. One, I guess, is that price would probably be right for a state championship football team. Or the other part I was going to say, Senator Stepheonson, is it might be right if we had used Singapore Math."
To hear it yourself, listen to the audio here. It's about eight minutes in.
I was sitting next to some parents from Alpine who chimed in, "Or Investigations Math."
Cuts becoming more clear
I've written many times about the federal stimulus requirement that funding for next year be held at this year's levels. Yet, the legislature and governor have reached an agreement that puts funding for next year at six percent below this year. I've been looking into that apparent conflict.
Did I read the law wrong? Was the NAPCS analysis wrong? According to Associate Superintendent Todd Hauber, no, but the cuts will still be at six percent. Apparently my misconception was that the federal government provided enough money to meet their requirement. According to Hauber, "there are not sufficient funds [in the stimulus package] to do that."
Discussions are still ongoing.
Did I read the law wrong? Was the NAPCS analysis wrong? According to Associate Superintendent Todd Hauber, no, but the cuts will still be at six percent. Apparently my misconception was that the federal government provided enough money to meet their requirement. According to Hauber, "there are not sufficient funds [in the stimulus package] to do that."
Discussions are still ongoing.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The slightly bigger box it is
Today the State Board "turned down a request from East Hollywood High School to waive the 180-day rule so that students could work off-campus on film projects."
"The Board felt other avenues were open to the school to meet the 180-day requirement."
In other words, there's not enough room in the public education system for the structure the school thinks would improve their program. They'll have to be satisfied with shorter time in class and less flexibility for off-site production, but at least they'll have all the right boxes checked.
Board member Janet Cannon said, "Do something fabulous and innovative and tell us how it works." (Just not that innovative.)
**UPDATE**
If you think I'm snarky towards the board, check out this comment from the DNews piece on the story.
"I hope they don't ever go to a four day week. Who would watch my kids while I'm at work. I need the school to babysit my kids. Daycare is expensive!"
"The Board felt other avenues were open to the school to meet the 180-day requirement."
In other words, there's not enough room in the public education system for the structure the school thinks would improve their program. They'll have to be satisfied with shorter time in class and less flexibility for off-site production, but at least they'll have all the right boxes checked.
Board member Janet Cannon said, "Do something fabulous and innovative and tell us how it works." (Just not that innovative.)
**UPDATE**
If you think I'm snarky towards the board, check out this comment from the DNews piece on the story.
"I hope they don't ever go to a four day week. Who would watch my kids while I'm at work. I need the school to babysit my kids. Daycare is expensive!"
Patti Harrington Resigns
The state's top educator, Patti Harrington, the Superintendent of Public Instruction announced her retirement effective July 1.
She's been pretty charter friendly, and I hope we get a successor who recognizes the value that choice, innovation, and direct accountability bring to public education.
She's been pretty charter friendly, and I hope we get a successor who recognizes the value that choice, innovation, and direct accountability bring to public education.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The slightly bigger box
East Hollywood High has requested a waiver from State Board of Education rules that would allow them to operate on a four-day school week. EHHS's request is based on several factors that they believe will improve educational outcomes for their students and their program.
If the board refuses this amendment it will be clear that their idea of innovation is: "Think outside the box, just as long as you stay inside this slightly bigger box."
- EHHS students typically have longer commutes since their program is so specialized and draws from all across the valley. The change would save 20% of their commute time.
- By lengthening the school day for four days, students can spend longer periods at school working on their projects.
- Friday would become an optional "project" day when students could work away from school on their projects, an important aspect since much production takes place off-campus.
- Secondarily, the school would save five figures in maintenance and operational costs by eliminating 20 percent of school operating days.
If the board refuses this amendment it will be clear that their idea of innovation is: "Think outside the box, just as long as you stay inside this slightly bigger box."
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
They are moving closer
On February 11 I blogged that public schools would be protected from drastic budget cuts.
Today the Trib reports that "Legislative leaders and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. have agreed to try to use federal stimulus money as a short-term fix to minimize education pain in budget cuts." The story says that the current agreement is to hold cuts at only six percent.
That, however, conflicts with analysis of the federal stimulus requirements that I blogged about two weeks ago. The State Stabilization Fund requires states to "restore education funding to the greater of the level in FY08 or FY09."
If NAPCS is right, then the governor and legislative leaders won't be able to move forward on their agreement, and school funding will be stable from this year to next.
Today the Trib reports that "Legislative leaders and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. have agreed to try to use federal stimulus money as a short-term fix to minimize education pain in budget cuts." The story says that the current agreement is to hold cuts at only six percent.
That, however, conflicts with analysis of the federal stimulus requirements that I blogged about two weeks ago. The State Stabilization Fund requires states to "restore education funding to the greater of the level in FY08 or FY09."
If NAPCS is right, then the governor and legislative leaders won't be able to move forward on their agreement, and school funding will be stable from this year to next.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
State Board Election process to remain unchanged
The senate education committee defeated a bill that would have changed the election process for the State Board of Education. The change would have been marginally better but still would not have addressed the core problem with the process.
Attempts to reform the system ill not significantly improve it if they ignore this reality: Elections are political, and the State Board is a political entity. The Board oversees a multi-billion dollar budget of public money. Members of that board should be directly accountable to the people they represent. They aren't now, but replacing the current selection-committee system with a non-partisan election is just a different attempt to hide the facts about candidates from citizens.
Candidates for state political office should declare their party affiliation, and run in the same system as the rest of state government.
Attempts to reform the system ill not significantly improve it if they ignore this reality: Elections are political, and the State Board is a political entity. The Board oversees a multi-billion dollar budget of public money. Members of that board should be directly accountable to the people they represent. They aren't now, but replacing the current selection-committee system with a non-partisan election is just a different attempt to hide the facts about candidates from citizens.
Candidates for state political office should declare their party affiliation, and run in the same system as the rest of state government.
Equalization goes down this year
A bill that would have equalized per student funding across the state was defeated in the house yesterday after it was substituted nine times.
Charters would have greatly benefitted from this legislation and would have permanently ended the misleading effort to halt charter growth by claiming that charters cost more. It would have put charter students in the same funding wagon as all other public school students. A student attending a charter would have cost the same, from the same sources, as a student attending any other public school in the state.
This year, finding money for charter school growth has been challenging not because charter students cost more (in fact charter students still get less funding than the average public school student) but because more comes from the state's pot opposed to local funding sources.
By putting all public school students on equal funding levels, different models of schools can truly create the educational environment envisioned by the charter school movement.
Charters would have greatly benefitted from this legislation and would have permanently ended the misleading effort to halt charter growth by claiming that charters cost more. It would have put charter students in the same funding wagon as all other public school students. A student attending a charter would have cost the same, from the same sources, as a student attending any other public school in the state.
This year, finding money for charter school growth has been challenging not because charter students cost more (in fact charter students still get less funding than the average public school student) but because more comes from the state's pot opposed to local funding sources.
By putting all public school students on equal funding levels, different models of schools can truly create the educational environment envisioned by the charter school movement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)