In the 2022 Year in Review, the author reflects on nostalgic holiday moments in India while emphasizing the ongoing challenges and progress in education, particularly regarding equity and excellence. CharterFolk experienced significant growth, with increased readership and revenue, and aims for even broader impact in 2023 through strengthened advocacy for charter schools.
Laurie Brown, a Nashville advocacy leader, argues that criticism of charter schools stems from racism, highlighting their success in aiding underserved students. Despite challenges, charter schools offer educational opportunities that historically marginalized students lack. Brown calls for support of all schooling choices, emphasizing the need to confront and dismantle systemic inequities.
The post discusses challenges and historical dynamics of education reform in Los Angeles, focusing on the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union’s influence over the Board of Education. It highlights past reforms, critique of prevailing narratives, and the need for a robust coalition to address educational inequities while maintaining political power to support student outcomes.
The author reflects on recent articles highlighting the growing influence of the West in the charter school movement, disappointing trends in educational equity, and a desire for descriptive correctness in discussions about education reform. There’s an ongoing struggle between perceived failures in traditional systems and the successes of charter schools, emphasizing the need for clarity in policy discussions.
The author discusses “The Great Disconnect in Public Education,” highlighting the gap between public education offerings and parental expectations, worsened by recent events like Covid. A decline in enrollment and increasing polarization in education policy between red and blue states is noted. The establishment’s opposition to charter schools stifles innovation, necessitating a unified call for transformative changes in public education.
The charter school movement in western states, particularly Colorado, Texas, and Idaho, has gained significant momentum, outperforming other regions in terms of student enrollment. This variation is influenced by long-term population trends and strong advocacy efforts. The future of public education faces challenges as enrollment declines, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to support all students.
In his reflections during Thanksgiving, the author emphasizes gratitude for contributions to CharterFolk and examines the future of charter schools amidst challenges. He proposes a “Greatly More Public Schools” vision, outlining three engines for progress: growing new charter schools, converting traditional schools, and advocating for systemic reforms. Adaptability is essential as conditions change.
Cameron Curry, CEO of The Classical Academies, highlights the significance of charter schools in providing quality education, especially for vulnerable families. Despite negative media perceptions, these schools create opportunities and show promise through flexibility and specialized programs. With numerous awards and recognition, they champion parental choice in education, reflecting a commitment to student success.
Greg Richmond and Paul Escala, leaders in Catholic education, reflect on the notable academic performance of Catholic schools during the pandemic, especially compared to public and charter schools. They attribute this success to factors such as financial resourcefulness, straightforward governance, and a strong emphasis on unity and diversity, suggesting these aspects warrant further investigation.
The author highlights concerning strategies employed against charter schools in California, predicting these methods will spread nationally. They outline specific tactics like using “Community Impact Reports” for legal challenges and identifying villains in the messaging against charter schools. The post warns of deceptive unionization techniques and ongoing threats to charter school integrity.