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| Star Tribune "Charter schools struggling to meet academic growth" |
The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools. The legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout the state.
(Minn. Const., art. XIII, § 1)
What a wonderful society we live in!
We care so deeply about our children that in the 1990's we decided to try something new - Charter Schools. In fact, Minnesota was the first state to pass a charter school law in 1991. I am an advocate for trying new things and hope that we continue to do so as a society. I am also a firm believer in accurately measuring success for society as a whole. After 20 plus years of many charters being exploited by for-profit entities, we have learned that much improvement is needed, especially in the area of equity. The push to privatize and profit attacks the very people we need to support (our teachers and students). Here are some examples of areas we need to improve:
- For-Profit Exploitation
- Lack of Accountability
- Teacher Dissatisfaction
- Racial Segregation
- Negative Impact of Vouchers
As we learn from our past policy decisions, many suggest we reinvest in our public education system instead of siphoning money to for-profit entities. One particular champion of public schools is Diane Ravitch. Visit Diane Ravitch's Blog for up-to-date articles about education and follow Diane on Twitter @DianeRavitch.
"Diane Ravitch was one of the strongest voices in the school reform movement—advocating for school choice, charters, and No Child Left Behind. But less than a decade ago, Ravitch had a change of heart. The reliance on standardized testing, she now says, has caused schools to ignore the "humanistic" elements of education." Quote from Diane Ravitch on Education Reform, Chicago Tonight by Michael Lipkin, November 20, 2012 (video included).
It has been truly rewarding to see the benefits of investing in public education as a Minnesota resident living in Lakeville. I am continually impressed by the ingenuity and leadership of our teachers. A great example is Impact Academy - Lakeville Area Schools were able to keep this program in-house instead of it branching-off as a charter school competing for public funds. Impact Academy currently benefits one of our grade schools; however, many families are excited to see the model implemented across the district. I am excited about programs that offer true choices to all families. True choice includes transportation and access for all students. We have a long way to go my friends.
I sincerely believe that continued investment in public education will provide the best return on investment for our children and the future of our great nation. Let's work together to create a public school system that is transparent, accountable (for real results, not simply teaching to tests), and enjoyable!
Peace to you and yours -
Jackie Craig
For your reference, here are a few studies showing investment in public education pays-off for America (there are plenty more):
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| ROI from Adult Education |
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| Early Childhood Education for All |
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| National Conference of State Legislatures |
