Interesting discussion of school choice
An unusual candidate is almost guaranteed to win an open seat on the Akron City Schools board next month. Carla Jackson, the principal of Emmanuel Christian Academy, says that there is nothing anomalous about her bid to help run the local district. While some may see her school as “competition”, Ms. Jackson says that Akron—and indeed all school districts in Ohio—have anything a child could need to get a great education…except religion. That, she says, is the only reason parents should seek out private schools. She does seem to believe that charter schools are the real competition and she has some pointed words about them in this profile.
Growing the grassroots
Debbie Veney, senior vice president of communications for the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools, discussed the organization’s recent report looking at public school enrollment shifts. She believes that the changes found—especially a boost in charter school enrollment—in the wake of pandemic disruptions point to growing grassroots-level involvement in public education. And she believes that this will continue even after normal schooling resumes.
More myth busting
NAPCS president and CEO Nina Rees published an op-ed in the Miami Herald last week, setting straight once again that charter schools are public schools and are subject to most of the same requirements as traditional districts.
Watershed moment
In Kansas City, Missouri, data show that the 2021-2022 school year is the first time charter school enrollment within the traditional district’s boundaries surpassed the district’s own enrollment. 13,375 students are enrolled in various charter schools this year, while 13,343 students are attending Kansas City Public Schools. While the district should likely be looking at consolidation due to a sharp decline in enrollment, KCPS seems to have a history of holding onto long-closed buildings and the officials quoted are far more interested in finding ways to “bring kids back”.
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