Florida League of Women Voters Releases Bombshell Charter Study

[QED]

Florida League of Women Voters Releases Bombshell Charter Study

"The Florida League of Women Voters just released a bombshell study of charters across the state. The study shows that charter schools do not perform better than public schools; that charters are more segregated than public schools; that many charters funnel money to religious organizations; that a significant number of charters operate for profit; and that the charter industry has captured control of key seats in the legislature. "

<snip>

State-Wide Study on School Choice

Tallahassee, Fla — Twenty percent of the state’s charter schools close because of financial mismanagement or poor academic standards, according to the League of Women Voters of Florida after a year-long study of charter schools in 28 Florida counties.

“Charter schools could fill a niche in Florida’s educational spectrum, but for many, their biggest contribution may be to corporate bottom lines,” said Deirdre Macnab, President of the League of Women Voters of Florida."

With over 576 charter schools in the state, the League of Women Voters of Florida conducted a study in order to better understand the oversight, management, accountability and transparency of charter and private schools in Florida.

The study found that:

Approximately one-third of charters are run by for-profit management companies. Many screen students, then drop those who are not successful, which public schools are prohibited from doing. Charters also serve particular socio-economic groups, increasing segregation in schools.

More at link - cites conflict of interest of FL Legislators:

http://dianeravitch.net/2014/05/28/breaking-news-florida-league-of-women-voters-releases-bombshell-charter-study/

[Baitball Blogger]

1. And in the Duh department...

Seriously, I'm appreciative that the Florida League conducted this study. It's just a shame that they had to.

[valerief]

3. Agreed. Good that they documented it, but anyone who doesn't know these things

must be as clueless as a homeschooler.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. "clueless as a homeschooler."

Oh, I see what you did there.

[Enthusiast]

15. +1

[Doctor_J]

2. Well there it is

“Charter schools could fill a niche in Florida’s educational spectrum, but for many, their biggest contribution may be to corporate bottom lines,”

Every service in America will soon be the property of the 1%. I am so glad we have representative government

[McCamy Taylor]

4. There is a long tradition of "private" white schools in the South where

parents sent kids to avoid integration. Poor white kids got "scholarships." The Charter system is the exact same thing---and they sell it to minority parents as "It will be better for your kids. Trust us. Would we lie?"

[freshwest]

5. Glad to hear from the League of Women Voters again. RW propaganda has attacked public ed for years.

[SheilaT]

7. I believe that essentially every single study

of charter schools has shown exactly that same thing. And this is allowing for the fact that the charter schools do not have to take all comers, so they don't have all the special needs kids, just for starters.

I'd be very curious to know how happy the teachers are at the charters.

[QED]

8. Not too happy

My niece was let go from a charter so they could hire a friend of the director. She didn't have a contract or due process.

[SheilaT]

10. Interesting.

My experience with teachers at my kids' schools has been that generally they've been reasonably happy. After all, it's the profession they chose and most of them really do like teaching. It may help that my kids always attended good, well funded public schools.

Then, for very personal reasons (son being bullied) we moved them to an independent (meaning secular private) school. I have to say that the teachers there were far, far happier than the public school ones, despite making less money. Basically, they knew the administration had their backs, and the majority of parents were highly supportive. It was a real eye-opener.

But I have heard about the charter school teachers having no job security whatsoever, and that's not right.

[Turbineguy]

9. Unfortunately

republicans don't get embarrassed by such things. In fact, for them, everything is going according to plan.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

11. "because of financial mismanagement"

That's code for "take the money and run".

[DallasNE]

12. Money Is Involved

Therefore corruption is rampant.

Follow the money. That is what Deepthroat admonished Woodward to do. Some things never change.

[glinda]

13. Most importantly is hopefully that the Public got to see this report.

[Enthusiast]

14. K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations!

[emsimon33]

16. k&r