The State of Minnesota – with the able assistance of the teachers’ unions and a class of professional administrators more wedded to policy than education – has already ruined public education in much of Minnesota.
Why not gut the safe havens to which parents turn when the public system just doesn’t cut it?
The DFL tried to strangle charter schools in their crib when they were first founded. Then, two years ago, they tried to cap the number of charters; since the GOP was still close in the Senate, the measure failed (since six DFLers with consciences joined every single Republican in voting to kill the cap.
Anyway – they’re baaaaack:
Big changes in the way the state’s 153 charter schools are monitored and regulated are likely to emerge from this year’s legislative session. If so, it would be the first time since 1991, when the state blazed a national trail by passing charter school legislation, that state lawmakers have overhauled the system in such a way.Minnesota’s charters, which serve 30,000 students, will probably face a future of tighter controls, more oversight and increased training for charter school teachers and governing boards.
Over the years, charter schools have been battered by problems with poor student performance, fiscal woes, conflicts of interest and charges of inappropriate mixing of public education and private religion.
“The public is questioning how the schools are operating,” said Kathy Saltzman, DFL-Woodbury, and chairwoman of the Senate charter schools working group. “And there are some charter schools that aren’t working.”
So yes. By all means, let’s attack charter schools.
Why, if I didn’t know better, I’d think it’s because the educational-industrial complex is nervous about the challenge that school choice provides…:
Legislators are likely to propose freezing the number of new charters. In part, that’s in response to criticism that charters suck students, and the state money that comes with them, out of the regular schools.
Wow. Didn’t see that coming.
charges of inappropriate mixing of public education and private religion
Perhaps we were to quick to praise the ACLU for going after TIZA. There couldn’t be an ulterior motive, could there?
“Kathy Saltzman, DFL-Woodbury”: This b**** better not touch MSA! Take a look at the ratings next time around – always at the top, no other school other then SPA comes even close! I dare those effing ‘Tics show me any public schools with waiting lists to get in!
Can you tell this post struck a cord? You bet – I have 2 kids in Charter schools (1 at MSA and another at SCPA) and would not have it any other way! Effing teacher’s union and their ‘Tic bootlickers! It’s never “about the children” for them!
Of course they’re going to kill them. They have the majority and they will reward their constituency. It doesn’t make it right, but it is predictable. All we’re left to do is be squeaky wheels. At some point their kingdom has to crumble from the weight of their own inefficiencies. That’s when school choice will gain momentum.
I have 8 grandkids…4 of which are homeschooled in ND and 1 of which is homeschooled here in MN (the other 3 here are toddlers). I don’t think there’s anythhing I am more proud of my children for than they’re having taken the trouble and responsibility to get their kids out of public schools. They all do well but even if they didn’t…what business is it of anyone else? The government and “others” should stay the hell out of parent’s way and let them do whatever they think best….even if their kids turn out dumb as a turnip because, in the union-run fiascos we call public school, THEY ARE ANYWAY!! In many rural, far-flung parts of this country we don’t have the choice of charter or private schools so homeschooling is the only route. I say good luck to all of you that depend on the charter school choice. Isn’t it funny…the only choice we’re supposed to be able to make is the one to kill our offspring not educate them.
“There couldn’t be an ulterior motive, could there? ”
It’s the ACLU, there’s always an ulterior motive.
You were right on when you said the education establishment is more concernd with policy than educating. This is not a new development, and is probably one of the biggest reasons Minnesota has one of the most vibrant and well-networked home-schooling movement in the nation.
I come from a family of Republican Christian public school teachers. They, and many of their co-teachers, do a good job, treach well, and are very well compensated for their work (especially when you figure in benefits and paid time off). One thing that is interesting though, is that the leftwing teachers and administrators bring their politics into the schools. My family members/relatives would never dream of using their positions to promote political causes, yet the Democrats at their schools do it all time.
The part that really bugs me is the hostile work environment that the Democrat teachers have created. My relatives are so timid about political issues that they keep their mouths shut and just allow the bashing that the other side does in the workplace. I’m the opposite. I’d be fighting every day.
Other bad thing…..Wisconsin schools are closed shops. If you quite the union, you are fired. Republican teachers meekly pay their money to the brotherhood, which is basically just a left wing political party.
Terry went to a magnet school. He used to go to a regular school until the plate in his head was attracted by the magnet.
Of course when there`s only air in someones head, it`s attracted to nothing.
And only attractive to the oxygen deprived.
AC- they make these things out of titanium. Non-ferrous.
In countries with socialized medicine you get plexiglass and a good-luck handshake.