U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan put it correctly this week when he said that the latest global survey of student achievement is a massive wake-up call. Test results showed U.S. students coming in a shameful 23rd or 24th in most subjects.
Clearly, reforming the country’s education system needs to get on a fast track. That’s why the announcement on Tuesday that the Rochester School District and four local charter schools are collaborating to share ideas, facilities and services is promising.
Normally, charter schools and public schools are viewed as competitors. Charter school opponents point to the mixed results of charters across the country and complain that the schools siphon off public monies, while proponents point to success stories of poor urban kids scoring high on tests.
It’s good to see Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard wanting to adopt best practices of high-performing charters. For example, under Brizard’s leadership, some district schools are experimenting with having more autonomy, similar to how charters operate.
For the charters, the compact offers an opportunity to use district facilities, such as a gym, or tap into technology expertise, John Bliss, the head of Urban Choice Charter School, told this page.
For the compact to work, it needs strong partners. A potential one that is missing is the well-known Genesee Community Charter School. Its board should take a close look at joining.
As it should be, an academic focus is at the core of the compact. It calls for public and charter school leaders to create highly effective schools and pursue accountability, and fix or close low-performing schools.
There’s absolutely no reason why charters and city schools shouldn’t work together for the greater good of all children. No one has a monopoly on the best way to teach children.
Source: ROCnow
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