A little closer to home.

[I'm Floored]

Where do you stand on the Charter School Amendment?

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?

John Barge, Georgia's School Superintendent has spoken out against the amendment:

Here’s why I’m voting NO to constitutional amendment on charter schools. I fully support the continued creation of high-quality charter schools for Georgia’s students.

But after careful consideration of what is best for all of Georgia’s students, I am opposing the constitutional amendment that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Until all of our public school students are in school for a full 180-day school year, until essential services like student transportation and student support can return to effective levels, and until teachers regain jobs with full pay for a full school year, we should not redirect one more dollar away from Georgia’s local school districts – much less an additional $430 million in state funds.

That’s what it would cost to add seven new state charter schools per year over the next five years (the annual average of the Charter Commission that would be revived if the amendment passes).

I cannot support the creation of a new and costly state bureaucracy that takes away local control of schools and unnecessarily duplicates the good work already being done by local districts, the Georgia Department of Education and the state Board of Education.

What’s more, this constitutional amendment would direct taxpayer dollars into the pockets of out-of-state, for-profit charter school companies whose schools perform no better than traditional public schools and locally approved charter schools (and worse, in some cases).

I trust our local school districts will continue do their important work – which includes approving only high quality charter schools for Georgia’s students. This is the way it should be.

I know how I will be voting. Have you made a decision?

 

[lotstodo]

Where do you stand on the Charter School Amendment?

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?

John Barge, Georgia's School Superintendent has spoken out against the amendment:

Here’s why I’m voting NO to constitutional amendment on charter schools. I fully support the continued creation of high-quality charter schools for Georgia’s students.

But after careful consideration of what is best for all of Georgia’s students, I am opposing the constitutional amendment that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Until all of our public school students are in school for a full 180-day school year, until essential services like student transportation and student support can return to effective levels, and until teachers regain jobs with full pay for a full school year, we should not redirect one more dollar away from Georgia’s local school districts – much less an additional $430 million in state funds.

That’s what it would cost to add seven new state charter schools per year over the next five years (the annual average of the Charter Commission that would be revived if the amendment passes).

I cannot support the creation of a new and costly state bureaucracy that takes away local control of schools and unnecessarily duplicates the good work already being done by local districts, the Georgia Department of Education and the state Board of Education.

What’s more, this constitutional amendment would direct taxpayer dollars into the pockets of out-of-state, for-profit charter school companies whose schools perform no better than traditional public schools and locally approved charter schools (and worse, in some cases).

I trust our local school districts will continue do their important work – which includes approving only high quality charter schools for Georgia’s students. This is the way it should be.

I know how I will be voting. Have you made a decision?

I'm still leaning strongly toward yes, although I can see some validity to his statement. The Fulton County Board of Education is a prime example of an unwillingness to allow competition within a school district, even among traditional public schools. I firmly believe that if the money follows the student, that all schools will improve. As long as state funding per pupil in traditional public schools within a district do not drop, I hardly see it as taking money away. If they want more money, attract more students. The quality of a child's educational opportunities should not be decided by their zip code.

 

[Foxmeister]

I'm all in favor of charter schools.

 

[I'm Floored]

I'm still leaning strongly toward yes, although I can see some validity to his statement. The Fulton County Board of Education is a prime example of an unwillingness to allow competition within a school district, even among traditional public schools. I firmly believe that if the money follows the student, that all schools will improve. As long as state funding per pupil in traditional public schools within a district do not drop, I hardly see it as taking money away. If they want more money, attract more students. The quality of a child's educational opportunities should not be decided by their zip code.

YES!

 

[Winchester]

No children so I haven't kept up with this issue.

 

[unionmom]

Apparently the unions are telling the specials teachers (music. art, P.E.) that they will likely lose their jobs if this passes.

 

[I'm Floored]

Is it only me, or does this seem like another issue we had in our county (not the whole state) with the school bond? I remember my oldest son coming home from middle school telling us that his teachers told them to tell their parents to vote YES for the school bond or the apocalypse would happen. :

 

[newsjunky]

Where do you stand on the Charter School Amendment?

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?

John Barge, Georgia's School Superintendent has spoken out against the amendment:

Here’s why I’m voting NO to constitutional amendment on charter schools. I fully support the continued creation of high-quality charter schools for Georgia’s students.

But after careful consideration of what is best for all of Georgia’s students, I am opposing the constitutional amendment that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Until all of our public school students are in school for a full 180-day school year, until essential services like student transportation and student support can return to effective levels, and until teachers regain jobs with full pay for a full school year, we should not redirect one more dollar away from Georgia’s local school districts – much less an additional $430 million in state funds.

That’s what it would cost to add seven new state charter schools per year over the next five years (the annual average of the Charter Commission that would be revived if the amendment passes).

I cannot support the creation of a new and costly state bureaucracy that takes away local control of schools and unnecessarily duplicates the good work already being done by local districts, the Georgia Department of Education and the state Board of Education.

What’s more, this constitutional amendment would direct taxpayer dollars into the pockets of out-of-state, for-profit charter school companies whose schools perform no better than traditional public schools and locally approved charter schools (and worse, in some cases).

I trust our local school districts will continue do their important work – which includes approving only high quality charter schools for Georgia’s students. This is the way it should be.

I know how I will be voting. Have you made a decision?

John Barge has had to remove any mention of his position from any source funded by tax dollars. Sam Olens just came out with an opinion on it. Local school boards also have to take any comment on the amendment off their websites. They are breaking the law if they don't. My vote will be yes. I have fought for more school choice for years.

 

[mei lan]

Pretty much anything that gets kids out of a regular (read: horrible) school environment and into a better one gets my vote. I like Barge, but I think he's wrong on this one.

 

[Madea]

I really need to research this one. I currently lean more toward no. There are avenues currently available for parents to choose.

I actually like the idea of "community" that is fostered when children grow up in school together. Maybe that is an antiquated notion, but that's how I grew up. Local schools CAN be good and CAN provide a quality education.

I have a lot of people that I trust on a different side of this issue than I, but I am just not currently fully on board with a charter school/voucher system. I need proof it works, and I really don't think it's there yet. There are some failing miserably.

 

[Far West]

I really need to research this one. I currently lean more toward no. There are avenues currently available for parents to choose.

I actually like the idea of "community" that is fostered when children grow up in school together. Maybe that is an antiquated notion, but that's how I grew up. Local schools CAN be good and CAN provide a quality education.

I have a lot of people that I trust on a different side of this issue than I, but I am just not currently fully on board with a charter school/voucher system. I need proof it works, and I really don't think it's there yet. There are some failing miserably.

I agree ...however, I also know how many charter schools have provided tremendous educations in neighborhoods where there was no hope of a good education.

They have their place, and I think in this case, it is a case of not wanting someone’s fiefdom disturbed...a fiefdom that has huge problems it has not dealt with!

 

[Madea]

How much of an option is it really in places like Paulding ("bedroom communities") where most parents are not able to provide transportation to and from school for their children?

I think Cobb transforming a school to include a performing arts school was a cool thing to do, it gave kids who weren't college bound more options, and I like that. I'd like to see more technical programs similar to that too. But, I have no information on how successful that has been for them.

 

[newsjunky]

How much of an option is it really in places like Paulding ("bedroom communities") where most parents are not able to provide transportation to and from school for their children?

I think Cobb transforming a school to include a performing arts school was a cool thing to do, it gave kids who weren't college bound more options, and I like that. I'd like to see more technical programs similar to that too. But, I have no information on how successful that has been for them.

It is an option for Paulding if someone decides to open a Charter School. I think I know how the BOE would vote in Paulding. A number of local BOE have had the request before them and they refused. Before the push for Charter Schools became a hot button issue not one had been approved by a local BOE. That is what spurred the Amendment question. Given a choice most of them would not approve CS because they see it as money removed from their budget. Charter Schools are Public schools and this is a smoke screen. I will vote YES!!! Give parents the power to choose the best type of education for their children. :cheer1 :cheer1 :cheer1 :cheer1

Madea, would you take the choice away from parents who are willing to transport their children just because some could not?

 

[ShoeDiva]

I have not researched this myself yet, but I have 22 (I just went and counted) teachers on my FB page that have specifically stated they are voting NO. For those that are for this, why would some teachers be against it?

 

[newsjunky]

I have not researched this myself yet, but I have 22 (I just went and counted) teachers on my FB page that have specifically stated they are voting NO. For those that are for this, why would some teachers be against it?

Because the Charter schools have more flexibility and are not tied to all mandates. It takes control away from the teacher's Unions and organizations to some extent. Please do not say that Georgia has no teacher's unions because I know that they have GAE, MACE, and PAGE. They have political clout make no mistake about that. These organizations are for and about teachers not the students. JMO Of course they do not want to give up the control they have. If a Charter School does not produce good results it can be closed. Not so easy to close one in the prevailing system.

 

[Far West]

I have not researched this myself yet, but I have 22 (I just went and counted) teachers on my FB page that have specifically stated they are voting NO. For those that are for this, why would some teachers be against it?

Because the Charter schools have more flexibility and are not tied to all mandates. It takes control away from the teacher's Unions and organizations to some extent. Please do not say that Georgia has no teacher's unions because I know that they have GAE, MACE, and PAGE. They have political clout make no mistake about that. These organizations are for and about teachers not the students. JMO Of course they do not want to give up the control they have. If a Charter School does not produce good results it can be closed. Not so easy to close one in the prevailing system.

:agreed
All the teachers have been given stickers, placards, and stuff with "vote no" from GAE, MACE, and PAGE. These organizations exists for their power.

The teachers also get literature from GAE, MACE, and PAGE, which scares them into thinking they will all soon be out of a job - due to Charter schools .

Some of the things that do not work in schools...or that classroom teachers themselves would like changed, but have not been able to change, will happen when a charter school blazes the path proving it is better for the kids.

There will also be more types of education models to better fit some kids who do not thrive in our current no child left behind hangover.

 

[newsjunky]

I have not researched this myself yet, but I have 22 (I just went and counted) teachers on my FB page that have specifically stated they are voting NO. For those that are for this, why would some teachers be against it?

Because the Charter schools have more flexibility and are not tied to all mandates. It takes control away from the teacher's Unions and organizations to some extent. Please do not say that Georgia has no teacher's unions because I know that they have GAE, MACE, and PAGE. They have political clout make no mistake about that. These organizations are for and about teachers not the students. JMO Of course they do not want to give up the control they have. If a Charter School does not produce good results it can be closed. Not so easy to close one in the prevailing system.

:agreed
All the teachers have been given stickers, placards, and stuff with "vote no" from GAE, MACE, and PAGE. These organizations exists for their power.

The teachers also get literature from GAE, MACE, and PAGE, which scares them into thinking they will all soon be out of a job - due to Charter schools .

Some of the things that do not work in schools...or that classroom teachers themselves would like changed, but have not been able to change, will happen when a charter school blazes the path proving it is better for the kids.

There will also be more types of education models to better fit some kids who do not thrive in our current no child left behind hangover.

This ^^ :thumbsup

 

[lotstodo]

I really need to research this one. I currently lean more toward no. There are avenues currently available for parents to choose.

I actually like the idea of "community" that is fostered when children grow up in school together. Maybe that is an antiquated notion, but that's how I grew up. Local schools CAN be good and CAN provide a quality education.

I have a lot of people that I trust on a different side of this issue than I, but I am just not currently fully on board with a charter school/voucher system. I need proof it works, and I really don't think it's there yet. There are some failing miserably.

You should read about the Washington DC experiment. It was so popular that it had a long waiting list and it was greatly improving attendance, parental involvement, and test scores. It was killed by Obama immediately after he took office at the request of the teacher's union. The poorest children were attending Hopewell Friends, and the public schools that were "left behind" were improving too. It was brilliant pilot program.

 

[newsjunky]

I really need to research this one. I currently lean more toward no. There are avenues currently available for parents to choose.

I actually like the idea of "community" that is fostered when children grow up in school together. Maybe that is an antiquated notion, but that's how I grew up. Local schools CAN be good and CAN provide a quality education.

I have a lot of people that I trust on a different side of this issue than I, but I am just not currently fully on board with a charter school/voucher system. I need proof it works, and I really don't think it's there yet. There are some failing miserably.

You should read about the Washington DC experiment. It was so popular that it had a long waiting list and it was greatly improving attendance, parental involvement, and test scores. It was killed by Obama immediately after he took office at the request of the teacher's union. The poorest children were attending Hopewell Friends, and the public schools that were "left behind" were improving too. It was brilliant pilot program.

That was the same school Obama's children attended was't it?

 

[ShoeDiva]

Most of my friends in Florida send their children to either private or charter schools, so I know they like them. I did ask a few of my teacher friends here about why they are voting no and following are some of the responses. (General, it is Saturday ) no one was writing much, just giving me a response.)

Local approval for charter schools is already in place, they have no idea why a "constitutional amendment" is needed.

They (local charters) are not required to hire professional standards commission certified teachers.

How the question is worded would allow states to create and fund a charter taking money out of the local school system and also run them without local input.