Charter Schools

Katherine - posted on 09/12/2010

Not to be discriminatory, but yes, the teacher is VERY young and it's her first year. On the other hand she seems to know exactly what she's doing. I just think she's too serious.

Good Day! - posted on 09/12/2010

Hmmm...that does seem to be a lot for kindergarten. But then a 45 minute minute bus ride is not so good either. I don't suppose there is a way you could drive her? Maybe it's the individual teacher you are having mixed feelings about. Sometimes that happens, and you just have to suck it up and hope and pray for a better teacher the next year.

Katherine - posted on 09/12/2010

A detention is staying after school. They do Think Math. Social Studies, Science, Reading, Writing, and then they have gym, music, library and some other things in between. Her teacher only gives them 5 minutes of recess and it's supposed to be 15.
I guess she has them in circle time so long some of the kids have started crying from sitting criss cross apple sauce for so long.
I get to work in the classroom once a week so I will see how it is.
I don't know. I couldn't put her in public because of where we live. The bus ride was 45 min. I love the disciplinary structure, but I don't, I like how they are sooo academic, but I don't. I'm just torn.

Good Day! - posted on 09/11/2010

Honestly, I don't know much about charter schools. I SHOULD being that I was a teacher (in a public school) and we have plenty charter schools around here. But I don't. So I can't honestly say if it's better or not.

Addressing your concerns, detention does seem strict for a kindergartner. Can you define what your school's version of detention is? Everywhere I've been it means something different, so it may not be as bad as you think. The card system is very popular. It's a good way for kids to see visually the consequences of their actions. I know that it takes a lot (I mean a LOT) for most teachers to resort to sending a child to the principal. Many never do. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

About the curriculum, is there a way you can see it? I know that our state posts the curriculum and GLE's (grade level expectations) on the state board of education's website. Maybe you can compare it to the public school's curriculum to see if it really is all that demanding.

Also, as a parent, you have a right to know what's going on inside the classroom. Why don't you ask the principal for a tour of the school and if you can sit and observe your child's teacher for half an hour. I had a parent do that to me, which I could care less about, because I knew I was doing the right thing. If they have nothing to hide, they'll be more than welcoming of you coming in, asking questions, and being involved with your daughter's education.

Alison - posted on 09/11/2010

I think it's normal to have doubts about whether you've made the right decision for your childs education. My son has done 2 weeks in public school and I've still got reservations about it, but you have to give the school a reasonable chance to prove itself. I looked into charter schools, but there wasn't one near enough to where we live.

I personally think charter schools are better in some ways because they tend to be smaller and they have to live up to the reputation that they create for themselves in order to get parents to enrol their kids into them. I don't know for sure, but I suspect they are stricter because they want the school to work. Charter schools could go bad if they existed in an area where they replaced public school altogether. In our district there is a public school in every school zone which makes charter schools an alternative to regular public school rather than a replacement. I guess it depends where you live.

Amie - posted on 09/11/2010

Maybe you're just anxious because it is a new school and experience?

How's the curriculum hard though? My idea of hard and yours may not meet up though either, all schools in the states seem to start things too early for my liking.

The tardiness issue and the detention, I don't understand giving a kindergarten child detention. Though it does depend on when and how the detention is put forth. We don't have detention in my children's school except for the older kids (grade 4 and up). That I can understand being leery about. Are they very strict about it? As in, even if there's a reason given on why she was late would they still go to these lengths?

The card system is not much different then how it's handled in my children's school either. It does take a fair bit for the principal to get involved though.

I dunno, I don't think I'm being much help either. lol In the end, no one can tell you if you're wrong or right. If it works for your child and your family, then keep it up. If it doesn't, there are other schools to choose from right?

Teresa - posted on 09/11/2010

I really don't know much... actually anything, about charter schools, but the card system for behavior has been used in some of my girls classes. I don't know about the detention thing, but discouraging tardiness is certainly a good thing. Anything else that bothers you?

Katherine - posted on 09/11/2010

They're very strict the curriculum for Kindergarten is very hard. 3 tardies and she gets a detention, they use a card system for behavior. If you get red you go to the principals office.

Don't get me wrong, I want good morals and values instilled in my child, but this seems a bit much for kindergarten.
I'm a mother bear.....it did rank #1 out of all of the NHA schools.. It's only te first week so we'll see how it goes next week.

Amie - posted on 09/11/2010

Why do you think you've made the wrong choice? They don't seem like bad schools from what I'm reading. Is there something I'm missing? What specifically makes you feel ill at ease?

Katherine - posted on 09/11/2010

I should have specified that I wanted feedback....

Isobel - posted on 09/11/2010

I think they sound good...perhaps that's why nobody is arguing...cause it's reasonable

Tara - posted on 09/11/2010

Interesting that you post this today, I'm reading The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein. In the first chapter they discuss how the privatization of the education system occurred post Hurricane Katrina.
Within 19 months of the storm the public school system had been almost completely replaced by private charter schools.
Before the storm New Orleans had 123 public run schools; now it runs only 4 and only 7 charter schools; now there are 31. There used to be a strong teachers union; no more.
4700 members had all been fired.. Some were hired back by the charters all at reduced salaries.
I really think Charter schools are going to be the end of responsible public education.
The private sector should have nothing to do with public education.
I fear you did the wrong thing too. My advice would be to homeschool your children if you are able and if not I would be looking into a different form of formal education for my child.
This can only lead to less money being placed into the schooling of your nations children.

Katherine - posted on 09/10/2010

I feel like I did the wrong thing :(