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| Debate on cyber charter schools | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 12 2012, 10:19 PM (872 Views) | |
| LPS Reformer | Feb 12 2012, 10:19 PM Post #1 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Link Patricia and Frankie Girardot say they like the flexibility that comes with online learning. The Franklin siblings can take their classes when they want and advance to the next level when they're ready -- not when the rest of the class is ready. "The learning is centered around kids and not around the teacher and how they want to run their classroom," said Frankie, 12, a seventh-grader at Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA), one of two cyber charter schools in Michigan where students take all of their classes online. A battle is heating up in Lansing over a proposal that would allow more students like the Girardots to enroll in cyber charter schools and allow far more of the schools to open in Michigan. State law enacted in 2010 allows only two cyber charters to exist and limits enrollment to 400 in the first year of operation and a maximum of 1,000 in subsequent years. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, was narrowly approved in the Senate on a 20-18 vote in October. The House Education Committee narrowly approved it on a 10-8 vote last week. No time line has been set for the full House to take up the bill, Ari Adler, spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, said Thursday. "We will be working over the next couple of weeks to educate our members about the bill and the benefits of offering more cyber schools in Michigan," Adler said. The debate over the controversial bill has divided the education community, pitting advocates for charter expansion against advocates for traditional public schools; parents who say their kids are thriving in the cyber charters against critics who say the two schools haven't been open long enough to justify expansion. Critics say cyber charters will take money away from traditional public schools, and the bill will serve the interests of profit-driven companies. Advocates say the many parents who give the schools high marks for quality proves the need to expand. "The problems associated with a for-profit cyber school are far-reaching," Michael Paskewicz, superintendent for Northview Public Schools in Grand Rapids, earlier this month told the House Education Committee. Paskewicz previously headed a Colorado district that he said ran into numerous problems with the for-profit cyber school it authorized. Laurie Girardot, who has three children enrolled at MVCA, said it's important for parents to have options when deciding how their children are educated. She doesn't buy the idea that expanding cyber schools will hurt traditional public schools. She said as much when she testified about the bill in Lansing a few weeks ago. The traditional public schools, she said, "don't go away. They just change. They step up the quality or they give us the product we're looking for." Are they effective? One of the biggest complaints from critics is that Republicans are pushing to expand without enough evidence that the two existing cyber charters -- MVCA and Michigan Connections Academy -- are effective. Critics point to the 2010 law that allowed the schools to open. It says that by the end of the second full year of operation, the schools' authorizers must submit to the Legislature and state superintendent a report that details their academic performance. That report, the law says, should include recommendations "for any further statutory or rule change related to cyber schools and online learning in this state." State Superintendent Mike Flanagan and members of the State Board of Education say they don't support expansion until that data are available. Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies -- a statewide charter school organization -- told lawmakers in late January that the universities that authorized the two cyber charters are satisfied with their performance. More important, he said, so are parents. In a February 2011 survey of Michigan Connections Academy parents, 95% said their children are satisfied with the program, and 92% said they would recommend the academy to other parents. "I think we're seeing indications we can expand it," Quisenberry said. More than half of MVCA's students must make a year's worth of growth in every grade and subject, according to its contract with authorizer Grand Valley State University. The school met the goal in every area but sixth-grade math during the 2010-11 school year, said Stephanie Hargens, head of school at MVCA. The growth is based on testing at the beginning and end of the school year, Hargens said. Performance alerts Nationally, though, concerns have been raised about the performance of online schools, including those run by for-profit charter management companies. In a report released earlier this year, Western Michigan University researchers found that just 27% of the cyber schools run by for-profit management companies met the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Gary Miron, the lead researcher on the study, said Michigan needs to wait until there is more data on how much the cyber charters spend per pupil "so we can see what is a fair and reasonable amount of money to pay them." He estimates that nationally, virtual charters make a profit of $2,000 to $3,000 per year per student, and he said that's why for-profit companies have lobbied so hard for the expansion. In Michigan, public schools are awarded funding from the state for each student, typically around $7,000 to $8,000 per pupil. Miron said he's worried because unlike brick-and-mortar charters, virtual charters can grow rapidly. "They can do a lot of damage very quickly to the (traditional) public school system," Miron said. Problems have crept up in other states, Miron said, including Colorado -- where an audit found a virtual charter was receiving money for some students who weren't enrolled. Democrats in the Michigan House tried unsuccessfully last week to attach some measures to the bill requiring the schools to report how much they spend per pupil. They said taxpayers have a right to know whether the schools spend less than the $7,000 or so per pupil they would receive and, if so, where that excess money is going. Those efforts were soundly defeated by Republicans, who said they were intrusive and unfair since traditional public schools aren't held to the same standards. Kids who say it works About a quarter of the parents who chose MVCA are like Laurie Girardot -- they previously homeschooled their children. Girardot did so for her children's early grades, although they attended private or traditional public schools before enrolling at MVCA. Girardot said she did her research before choosing the school and liked the curriculum better. The school has worked for her children, she said. Frankie Girardot, the seventh-grader, said he likes that he was able to move ahead in math -- a strong subject for him. In a traditional school setting, he wasn't feeling challenged. Now, he's doing eighth-grade math work. His 14-year-old sister, eighth-grader Patricia, also swears by online learning. There's only one thing she misses about a traditional school setting. "You miss the people, hanging out with my friends," said Patricia, who socializes outside the school day instead. Contact Lori Higgins: 313-222-6651 or lhiggins@freepress.com More Details: 2 cyber charters A Michigan law enacted in 2010 allowed for the opening of two cyber charter schools, which could enroll 400 students in their first year and a maximum of 1,000 after that. Here are some highlights of the two schools that opened. Michigan Virtual Charter Academy • Location: Grand Rapids • Enrollment: 800 • Waiting list: Has been as high as 1,100 • Authorizer: Grand Valley State University • Management company: K12, based in Herndon, Va. • Website: www.k12.com /mvca Michigan Connections Academy • Location: Okemos • Enrollment: 638 • Waiting list: 1,000 during the current school year • Authorizer: Ferris State University • Management company: Connections Academy, based in Baltimore • Website: www.connections academy.com/michigan -school More Details: Highlights of the cyber charter school bill A state Senate bill would allow more students to enroll in cyber charter schools -- which are public schools -- and allow more of them to open. It would: • Allow the number of cyber charters to increase to 15 by Dec. 31, 2013. After that, the number could grow to 30. Current state law allows only two cyber charters. • Allow each cyber school to enroll a number of students that is not more than half of the audited enrollment of Detroit Public Schools -- 66,227 in fall 2011. Current law restricts enrollment to 400 students in the first year and a maximum of 1,000 thereafter. • Delete language saying that for every identified dropout a cyber charter enrolls, the school can add one additional student. • Allow a cyber charter to offer any configuration of grades K-12 or all of those grades. Current law requires the schools to offer all grade levels. • Delete language requiring all cyber charter students to previously have been enrolled in a traditional public school. |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| LPS Reformer | Feb 12 2012, 10:21 PM Post #2 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Of course, what topic would be complete without Randy's input on the matter. |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| Ava | Feb 14 2012, 10:16 AM Post #3 |
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So what? Who cares?
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Come on! The truth is you want to keep the money in your control and in your pocket! Nothing else! I'm so tired of the public schools saying they are concerned about the quality and success rate for students in charter schools! Please! God forbid we let parents decide what is good for their kids! No, we need people like Liepa to tell us what is best! The argument that charters or vouchers take money away from the public schools is so old and tired. If the public schools were giving students a "quality" education, they would have nothing to worry about! It seems to me they are "concerned" that they would lose students. Why would people want to leave the public schools if they are better? Isn't it ridiculous that in America you do not have a choice where your tax dollars are spent? Why do we have to continue to support a broken system with overpaid administrators who turn out students that aren't ready for college?!?! The argument should be does it work for the kids? What is best for the kids? No, it is what is best for the adults! The truth is charter schools would create competition and force public schools to work hard for their generous salaries. They would have to do better than "meet the state standards." Isn't this what they are really afraid of? The bottom line is their arguments are weak and I think the public is waking up to this scam! Get rid of the educational monopoly! The public schools are not preparing students for college and beyond! I have an idea...why don't we put public schools under the same magnifying glass and get rid of the ones that graduate kids that can't do college level math and writing! I bet you would get rid of a lot of public schools! Who cares if they "meet state standards!" Can students take college level classes when they graduate or do they need to take remedial classes? That woulld be a true measure of success! Unfortunately, you won't find Dr. Liepa talking about how many of LPS graduates are ready for college. They don't track students after they leave LPS! The truth would be very damaging to the publc school establishment. |
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| Mrs.M | Jul 4 2012, 10:17 PM Post #4 |
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Veteran
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Five Canadian schools to offer open enrollment to Michigan students By Diana Dillaber Murray For the Daily Tribune Posted: 07/04/12 01:34 am VICKIE MARKAVITCH The competition for public school students has extended across the Detroit River to Canada, where Windsor is opening some of its schools to Michigan students. Parents have gained many more choices when it comes to sending their children to school in today’s world compared to when they were growing up. Besides charter schools and alternative schools and virtual schools and home schooling, parents also have the option of sending their children to one of the many other neighboring school districts that take part in the Schools of Choice program. Now that option has taken on a new look. For the first time, Canada is opening doors at five of its best public schools for Michigan high school students, according to a news release issued this week. The “foreign students” would either commute daily or live and study in Windsor. Oakland Schools intermediate district Superintendent Vickie Markavitch finds the concept “interesting” but suggests parents double-check to make sure their high school diplomas will be accepted by colleges and universities in Michigan and the United States. The option is being made available through an exclusive agreement between Windsor Catholic School Board and Dominican International Institute, of Warren, to accept a limited number of students as “foreign students.” Shakil Khan, president of the Dominican International Institute, said the program offers an opportunity for Michigan parents to let their children have the “Study Abroad” experience. The institute, a nonprofit organization, is affiliated with Michigan-based Multicultural Council of America and has been offering “Study Abroad” programs in the Dominican Republic since 1985. Markavitch said, “Although the educational opportunities in Windsor mirror what is available on this side of the bridge, it would give a student an opportunity to experience another culture, although I am not sure just how different that culture would be. “However, Michigan students should take great care before embarking on this. “They would not want to risk completion of the Michigan Merit Curriculum and a Michigan high school diploma,” Markavitch added. “Michigan has been recognized as having one of the most rigorous high school requirements in the nation, and perhaps Canada. “That means a lot when applying to colleges, especially those in the states,” Markavitch said. The residential program includes 24/7 supervision by specially selected host families, an experienced special guardian, all meals, and comprehensive health insurance, said Rhina Matos Rodriguez, study abroad coordinator at the institute. Students are encouraged to participate in social and cultural activities. There are several out-of-town optional tours available at additional cost. A French immersion program is offered at some of the high schools and students might live with French-speaking Canadian families. Seats are limited for the September 2012 to June 2013 session and students will require a Study Permit from the Canadian Consul, which might take a couple of months, Matos said. While the state pays for students who attend schools in other districts in Michigan, the High School program in Canada is considered private and will not be paid by the state. For more information, visit www.canadianhighschool.ca or call 586-573-7400, 248-822-6000, or email info@canadianhighschool.ca. http://www.dailytribune.com/article/20120704/NEWS01/120709851/five-canadian-schools-to-offer-open-enrollment-to-michigan-students |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Ani | Jul 5 2012, 03:10 PM Post #5 |
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Advanced Member
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This doesn't make much sense. Take a home school high school for example. Many have attended colleges and universities without a 'diploma' given by a public or private school. Parents put a lot of effort into developing a portfolio and transcript. In fact, there are many co-ops that offer classes which colleges like UofM look very seriously at. Hearing someone in the public school industry spout something like off leaves me shaking my head. Shouldn't she know better? |
| Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is. ~ Yoda | |
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| daytripper75 | Jul 5 2012, 04:44 PM Post #6 |
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I like the idea of cyber charters being available but I don't think that they should receive the same amount of funding that brick and mortar schools receive. Part of that funding is to pay for the actual school building. |
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| srj900 | Jul 6 2012, 05:35 PM Post #7 |
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Advanced Member
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Well, we often hear about how money is needed for our schools to be upgraded with the latest technologies. I.E. The $190 Million Dollar Bond Proposal. And yet, they don't want to take that idea to the logical conclusion that brick and mortar schools may not be needed with said technology. So, they have to walk a tight rope of selling citizens on moving into the future, while keeping their feet firmly in the past. What a dance they must do to achieve this. What would happen to all those huge salaries once the people realize we don't need administrators like Liepa and his bunch? Maybe we could sell off all the school property and not just some prime property, in a sweet heart deal to a church that has handed out free chicken. Maybe our large tax bills would be reduced. Imagine. |
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