Thanks to the News Sentinel for printing my letter in its entirety. I can't say it's the best thing I ever wrote but at least it makes more sense than the abridged version that came out in the JG.
My biggest disappointment with the situation at FWCS is in the teachers. They know what they're doing isn't working but they don't want to change. They've unionized to prevent change. They can't afford to tell the public what's really going inside their classrooms, so they maintain a conspiracy of silence. They know the system will eventually look like Gary and Indianapolis but they seem to think by that time "I'll be gone, you'll be gone". They're probably right in that respect as long as they can keep strangling reforms.
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I have sub. taught in FWCS, and now work in another school district. Due to the factor that I am in the public school district, I am not wanting to be found out. However, there are several things, I would like to see changed in FWCS (and, I believe more competition will help, not hurt the system.). I would like to see:
1. Discipline - When I subbed I was physically assualted by students - pushed, shoved and hit, and was told NOT to write students up. Hell, my tooth was chipped by a student hitting me with a basketball while I subbed in gym, one day and I was told NOT to tell anyone, or I would be fired by an administor.
2. Lack of support by other teachers and administrators. There were days, weeks I was in buildings and no principal or teacher would even check on me.
3. Lazy teachers. There are a few good teachers in FWCS, a few. I only saw one that was excellent, however I saw hundreds that were pathetic that had no dedication, no lesson plans ever and just worksheet after worksheet.
4. Kids who couldn't read. I saw special education students who were litterally pushed through the system, who justed to read, but couldn't and were still allowed to graduate.
Even permanent teachers have similar stories. It's worse for subs. Your last comment about kids who can't read being pushed through the system pretty much sums it up. That's the one essential skill they need to master. If the district can't accomplish that, why are we giving them our taxes?
This study won't fit well with The Journal Gazette's campaign against charter schools:
"Indiana Charter Schools Perform Significantly Better Than Their Traditional Public School Peers"
http://credo.stanford.edu
I read the report. I'm sure the Karen Frisco will write a follow up. The comparisons are given in standard deviations and I didn't see how to relate that to passing rates on the tests. But it does seem that the attacks on charters can't be supported on the basis of academic performance. And they are cheaper to operate than goverment schools. Same or better performance for less money. That should give Wendy and FWEA something to think about
Even a quick overview of Indiana Department of Education data indicates the same trend that students at charter schools make significant learning gains from year to year. The challenge for charters in terms of overall test results is that charters tend to have a steady influx of students from failing traditional public schools.
What I don't understand is why traditional public schools don't borrow what charters are doing right instead of trying to bully them out of existence.
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