Stories featured in Ohio Charter News Weekly may require a paid subscription to read in full.
A sad update
Back in February, we reported on the announced closure of Dohn Community School, a dropout recovery charter in Cincinnati. Operational and fiscal troubles had plagued the school for months and shutting down was the only proper course of action in the face of those headwinds. At that time, we praised school leaders for proposing to complete the school year and work with students and families to either complete their credits and graduate or to research new school options and plan an orderly transfer for next year. That praise must be withdrawn because leaders did not stick to that plan and closed abruptly earlier this week. Kudos go instead to Cincinnati City Schools, who quickly put together a special admissions event over the weekend aimed directly at remaining Dohn students. The best part, district officials were quoted as saying, “Even if you choose not to pick Cincinnati public schools, we can help walk you through the process no matter what you choose to do.” Vitally-needed assistance. According to media reports, at least 100 Dohn students did opt to enroll in Cincinnati City Schools. Here’s hoping the rest found good options and will soon be moving forward in their education again.
A better update
Last week, we discussed media coverage of Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, who recently voted down five proposed charter school expansions brought to the state education board. That coverage focused on what was termed a new hostility toward charters from Democratic elected officials, but seemed like the same old politically-expedient anti-charter animus. This week, the editorial board of the Boston Globe opined that charter schools like KIPP Academy in Lynn have proved themselves academically sound (and in many cases, superior to other public and private school options) and that, whatever you call it, bias against them is a form of “othering” that is not based on fact and must end.
More choice proposed in West Virginia
West Virginia Senate Bill 89, which would authorize creation of “alternative” charter schools to serve students at high risk of not completing their education, passed out of the Senate Education Committee recently. It also sets forth the definition of “high-risk,” including academically underperforming students, those experiencing homelessness, and foster youth. At least 70 percent of the alternative charters’ total enrollment must be comprised of such high-risk students to qualify for the designation. The bill next heads to the Senate Finance Committee.
A new beginning in Louisiana
Outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the City of Baker school board voted unanimously last week to start the process of converting the 1,100-student traditional district to charter schools. This follows years of poor academic performance and the failure of other state-mandated turnaround efforts. Helix Community Schools will officially take over operations following the last day of school next month and the new school year will see Helix fully in charge. Many charter detractors persist in vocal opposition to the plan, but Baker mayor Darnell Waites has some sage words for them. “When I woke up Wednesday morning and realized that the Baker School System had become charter schools, I was like, ‘Lord, here we go’,” Waites told WAFB News. “But then I thought about it and said, ‘Okay, this is a new beginning’… For the last 10 years what we were doing wasn’t working. So, we have to do something different.” Kudos to you, Mr. Mayor, and best wishes to the families, students, and staff starting on that journey together.
The view from D.C.
Progressive Policy Institute senior advisor Bruno Manno has a number of common-sense suggestions for federal actions to be pursued in line with President Donald Trump’s January 29 executive order that emphasized finding ways to help parents escape the “geographically based school assignments” that constrain “choosing and directing the upbringing and education of their children.” Manno explains how existing federal programs, administrative guidance, and regulatory shifts could create more choices for families, give educators more options to work in different learning environments, and unlock more educational opportunities for K-12 students—all without requiring new legislation. An intriguing read.
*****
Did you know you can have every edition of the Ohio Charter News Weekly sent directly to your Inbox? Subscribe by clicking here.
