Moody’s Analytical located just north of us in West Chester, issued a report elaborating Charters are not good for economically weak urban areas… Is Wilmington one? YES!!!!!!
“Charter schools pull students and revenues away from districts faster than districts can reduce their costs”, says Moody’s. “As some of these districts trim costs to balance out declining revenues, cuts in programs and services will further drive students to seek alternative institutions including charter schools.”
The cities where over a fifth of the students are enrolled in charter schools are Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C….
Below are the four factors which cause urban Public School decline whenever charters are allowed, according to Moody’s.
Factor 1:
The school district is already financially pressured and grappling with weak demographics
Factor 2
School districts have a limited ability to adjust operations in response to a loss of enrolment to charter schools
Factor 3
A third risk factor for a school district is its being in a state with a statutory framework promoting a high degree of educational choice and which has a relatively liberal approval process for new charters and few limits on their growth, as well as generous funding.. Whereas Delaware once had some controls, after a the devastating last legislative session, they have all but been eliminated.
Factor 4.
A school district is not integrated into a healthier local government. Such integration can lead to greater diversity in revenues and more flexibility in balance sheets, positioning the district to better handle operating and financial changes. Both the state DOE and city government are in disarray.
Delaware and particularly Wilmington, match those areas where charters destroyed education..
It appears that Charters need eliminated, at least until Wilmington is again a strong, economically viable city with its strong tax base and strong government intact…. Till then, we should only allow district ownership and control of all new schools….
Don’t take my word. Take Moody’s.
7 comments
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January 23, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Eve Buckley
Wow. Hard to pillory Moody’s as a hothouse of liberal radicalism.
January 23, 2014 at 6:58 pm
kavips
lol. I don’t think it is a partisan issue anymore. It is factual, like the earth is warming, that Charters do great damage to our children.
January 23, 2014 at 8:27 pm
John Young
Reblogged this on Transparent Christina.
January 24, 2014 at 9:30 am
maureenkeeney2013
The promise of our nation is a great education for all, not the “Chosen Ones”.
Charter schools take the Chosen… If you want private school or charter, the private citizens and pay their way…. building and all…..Leave public school money alone to take care of all our precious future citizens and children..Stre
ngthen our communities, don’t destroy them.
January 24, 2014 at 10:05 am
kavips
Good Point. Public school money should be delegated to the public’s use. Although at one time it was envisioned that charters would lead the way in innovation, giving the public some use for it’s money, that failed to happen. The opposite occurred instead. Forced with the realities of finances, regulations, and legal responsibilities, Charter Groups became overwhelmed and stretched too thin to deliver upon their promise.
The public in most cases is paying more for substandard education, particularly in the inner city, than it was for quality education before Charters were allowed to move in.
January 24, 2014 at 10:37 am
maureenkeeney2013
the inner city schools need the resources.. I work in one. There is a great need and it does not include test scores. Communities and parents must be involved if it is to work. we need to come up with creative ideas to accomplish this mission. it can happen I am sure of it. But it will take a village , not a few teachers and leaders. I am in !!
July 6, 2014 at 5:38 pm
All About Common Core, Charters, and Public Education | kavips
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