Good Morning, CharterFolk.
The headlines these days can be described as nothing less than Dickensian.
Tales of two cities. Best of times. Worst of times.
Only unlike Dickens portraying the best and worst happening in different cities, what we find is the best and worst happening within the same cities.
Side by side. Over and over again.
Call them “two-tale cities.”
Like Chicago.
Noble lived up to its name last week, announcing Brenda Cora to be its next CEO, an alum of Noble Schools herself, now rising to lead one of the most respected charter school organizations in the country.
Talk about the very best of times!
Sadly, it happens right beside some of the very worst.
A school district where status quo interests have regained control and are now driving it into oblivion.
Parties actually requiring a school district to enter into a long-term, high interest loan to pay for raises and pension payments.
It’s the definition of sacrificing the future to benefit that which has come before.
When public education is supposed to be about our commitment to the future.
It repeats what we saw in Denver not so long ago.
Status quo interests regained control of the district and drove it into dysfunction severe enough to become a national embarrassment.
It was the worst of times.
Now new research shows that the reform efforts that were undertaken in Denver over the past two decades, including the expansion of charter schools, was one of the most successful in history.
It’s some of the very best that public education has to offer.
The side by side goes on and on.
Milwaukee melts down.
Right as Howard Fuller rises up.
St Louis implodes.
Leaving a teacher retirement system on the cusp of insolvency.
Right as a CSP grant has come to an organization in St Louis that is directing funds right where they are needed most.
Nashville turns down five charters with only one vote in favor between them all.
Now all of those schools including Memphis School of Excellence, one of the highest performing public schools in all of Tennessee, are forging on, such that better opportunity will soon be coming to Nashville.
Two-tale cities are found in many places across our country today, and it looks likely there will be even more in the future.
It’s why it’s so important, CharterFolk, that we just keep going.
Penning the most important story happening in public education today.
One showing that the best of times for students …
… especially those students needing better opportunity most …
… lie before us.