Observer

Part 6: It comes down to Accountability

Accountability

               Part Six of a series.

Some of the readers have inquired about the accountability of public schools on the Cape.  With a plethora of information, at the DESE, there seems to be variety of ways to look at the statistics and even more ways to rationalize them.  I have to tell you that if looking at this information doesn’t have you asking if  “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere”, nothing will!  I chose to look at the information as reported by the state in their charts and then pull out what is geographically relevant to the Cape.  There was some added confusion from the increased accountability of the federal act, No Child Left Behind. I'll do my best to explain my findings.   

In a nutshell, NCLB is a federal act originally designed to “assist” all public schools receiving federal funding to be accountable and the provide the best educational opportunities for students regardless of their family demographics of background, income, race, or the student's ability level.  

According to the DESE as posted on their site  “The federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires all schools and districts to meet or exceed specific student performance standards in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics by the year 2014. AYP determinations are issued annually based on the performance of all students (the "aggregate") and for individual student groups ("subgroups") to gauge the interim progress toward the attainment of those goals.”

I found the best way to explain what I found at the DESE site was to created the tables below based on the past three years and solely for the Cape public schools.  It was a little overwhelming at first, which resulted in my subconscious mind starting to hum a Buffett tune about nine in the morning (I was off to see the lizard alright). I organized the information by district. Charter schools first, and then tech schools followed by the town districts. A Blue Yes, indicates a district is meeting Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) for the state, and a Red No reflects that the District did not meet AYP.

Cape Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Cape High Schools (Grades 9-12)

Why is the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School being hammered?

So why are people hammering the Lighthouse?  As a whole, the Charter Schools and Technical Schools on Cape look alright.  There is always room for improvement for any organization, but following the trail of red, they don’t seem too far out of whack when compared to the traditional public schools out here. 

Unless my eyes deceive me, Dennis-Yarmouth  should be the ones being roasted!  I wrote a piece before Memorial day about the impact of the newly created Monomoy Regional and the possibility of CCLCS moving to Harwich.  If and when both of these come true, DY could possible look more and more like a ghost town as a result from school choice and all of the radio testimonials in the world won’t be able to keep students in the district.  

I wonder who's paying for those ads anyway?  (hopefully not the taxpayers). When I looked further at the numbers not meet AYP for a particular year, most were cited under the sub category of NCLB for issues due Special Education or Low Income.  Hey wait a minute... wasn’t this one of the reasons cited to be a catalyst for creating charter schools?  Looking at all the Cape schools performance, Dennis-Yarmouth didn’t meet AYP for all most all grades.  I looked further at the statistics from DESE for DY spanning grades 3-12 for the past three years for ELA and Math, and the results are simply unacceptable!  

Before you jump to conclusions, I don’t have a grudge against any particular district or a hidden agenda.  I’m merely looking at the numbers and facts trying to make sense out of them. That’s it!  At this time, Dennis Yarmouth is the only district at  Level 3 corrective action plan on the Cape.  The state identifies districts on a scale of 1 to 5, based on their performance meeting APY. Most other schools are level 1 (no plan needed) and a few others are level 2 (some assistance given and a plan of action). 

Level 3 as defined by the DESE:
Level 3 (districts with one or more schools among the lowest-performing 20% based on quantitative indicators): Districts in Level 3 will be required to complete a district self-assessment process aligned with the District Standards and Essential Conditions for School Effectiveness. Level 3 districts will be given high priority for Department assistance, including resources to assist their efforts to implement the Essential Conditions at each identified school.

So, I imagine Level 3 is like an educational government bailout for the district with additional counseling from the state in hopes they can get back on track before more action is required.  This could ultimately involve the state coming in for joint governance. I realize that the district’s poor performance is not a joking matter, but when you listen to the radio spots, it really paints a different picture. I also realize and whole heartily agree that MCAS are not a full measure of a schools success.  I'm personally not a big fan of them. A test is only one measure of how a school preforms.  Unfortunately, it is the current measure the powers at be use gauge success.  I know from following stories over the years, there are some talented teachers in that district, maybe someone should ask them for ideas.

The more I investigated about charter schools, the more perplexed I am at why so many people are against them.  I’m not against traditional public schools or any other type of learning environment that benefits and enhances a student’s ability to learn.  Isn’t it our collective desire to have younger generations become more independent and stronger learners as they grow?  I marvel at the educational opportunities that are available today for students.  Years ago, if a school wasn’t a fit for a particular student, what would happen to them?  Easy, they would drop out, hopefully go to work, and with a bit of luck learn a trade.  That’s a hard road, and also one that also helped build this country in the first half of the last century.  The trouble is, many of those past and current drop out students often hit a detour and head down a wrong road.  The other factor is that we are a long way from that period of history and those jobs are significantly less available then they were.  We now live in what’s called a “Global Society”, and what drives that society is knowledge. That starts with education, where ever it is you choose to attend.   

~ Just a view from an Observer

 Part One here.
Part Two here.
Part Three here.
Part Four here.
Part Five here.

Part 5:Are the Quality or Standard of teachers different for each school?

Are the Quality or Standard of teachers different for each school?
Aside from the preference to be Union or not, the answer is No.

               Part Five of a series.

This is where it gets a bit messy and has changed over the years as I found out in my reading. Both entities are considered to be Public Schools.  (Horace Mann falls under traditional, because of collective bargaining)  Therefore, when looking at what Massachusetts requires for its teachers in traditional and independent schools, the key term is "Highly Qualified Teachers".  

In charters as well as traditional schools, this has changed tremendously over the years resulting from needing additional accountability with the implementation of teacher tests and additional requirements.  Years ago there were loop holes.  However it seems that looking at the regulations of teachers teaching Core subjects and/or Special Education there is a strong need for accountability.   I'll focus on those only as with any law, there are provisions for everything.  As a general rule teachers need to have a degree, understanding of their subject matter and certification.  Certification may not be required for charter schools and is different for Elementary verse Middle (CCLCS) and Secondary (Sturgis). I'll focus on the later two.

After the initial level of being "Certified", is where it becomes a bit of a quagmire, not so much of what is require but the applicability to different teachers.  I'll stay the course of Core and Special Education Teachers.  Next comes what is known to be "Highly Qualified" under NCLB.  I imagine these additional options are to draw on a greater teaching pool and possibly create a "global teaching environment" that may enhance the classroom and student's learning.  I may also be wrong too. 

The exception comes in when looking at a teacher as "Highly Qualified".   This is to be determined by the DESE and based on a person's degree level.   Considerations are given to a teacher having a degree in an academic major,  a graduate degree or above in their subject area, the level of school they are teaching, whether the course they will be teaching will be a core course or not,  and finally if they hold MTEL or National  Board Certification.  

So is it possible to teach in a charter school and not be certified?  I believe so, under NCLB.  Maybe this will explain some of the up roar about Lighthouse.   This may lend reason to how Sturgis may have such a diverse staff with international experience.  This also might be worth looking at another time too, as I imagine this may be part of what contributes to their success.

~ Just a view from an Observer

Part One here.
Part Two here.
Part Three here.
Part Five here.

Part 4: School Choice, same or different?

School Choice, same or different?
What is it and what effect does it have on public schools?

               Part Four of a series.

People often become enraged about charter schools taking money away or wasting it when their school district needs it the most!  Others lament that we should have never have approved school choice in our town, or can’t we just stop school choice and that will fix the budget problem?

In short NO!  They are two different animals.  People often get wound up and loose all reasoning when they hear about a recent school committee meeting when their district administrator was throwing absorbent dollar amounts at them from their power point in a scolding tone referencing “School Choice”.  If that were really true, then people should be outraged, but it’s not.   My word... do you mean they are lying?  Let’s break this down. 

One form is known as “Inter-District School Choice”.  This is when a your son or daughter chooses to attend another “School  Choice” for example; Barnstable to Chatham,  Sandwich to Barnstable, Mashpee to Nauset, it doesn’t matter as long as the schools are established as school choice.  Another is “In District” or "Intra-District School Choice", if it is established.  For example, last year the media reported that Yarmouth students have the opportunity to attend Dennis schools in an effort to keep students/money in the distict.   To be honest, I'm not sure if  the concession goes the other way.  If not,  Dennis students still have the opportunity to attend other schools that are accepting students.  School choice is established by the individual district’s school board committee and can be vote on usually in the spring and fall.  However, with NCLB this is difficult for underpreforming school districts.  So when a student leaves for another school district, the districts per pupil expense travels with them.  POOF!  GONE!  I imagine years ago when this was created the thought would be that if one student left for whatever reason, another one would come from another district to fill that spot.  Too bad they didn’t account for the tsunami effect some of the districts are now facing while losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The other school choice, which is often lumped into the above mentioned when being reported, is what I’ll call “Charter Choice”.  Charter choice is when the student chooses to attend a Charter School.  Ready for the sleight of hand?  Money again travels with the pupil from their sending district at their established pupil cost to the charter school, then... Shazam!!!  The State reimburses the sending district.  But wait it gets better... When State reimburses the District, they get more than they lost. Who needs Vegas with a set up like that?   The sending school districts are reimbursed 100% for the first year and roughly 25% for the next five years.  You got it!  They get paid for a student who is not even there.  In all fairness, this schedule was set up to help school districts adjust for the difference.  However, I guess it makes sense why many districts wouldn’t reveal this.  A Red Herring perhaps?  Maybe they didn’t know, though that’s awfully hard to imagine. 

Despite all the friction, charter schools must not be all that bad.  On May 2, 2011, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website, they just approved adding 16 more charter schools, and renewed an additional 10 more charters in the State. 

~ Just a view from an Observer

Part One here.
Part Two here.
Part Three here.

Part 3: What does this mean to us on the Cape?

What does this mean to us on the Cape?
Charter Schools seem to be much more at risk for scrutiny

               Part Three of a series.

On this lovely piece of sand many of us call home, there are two types of charter schools.  

• Horace Mann Charter schools (Hyannis West  Horance Mann Charter School) and
  
• Commonwealth Charter Schools (Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School and Sturgis Charter Public School).

Though Horace Mann is a Charter school,  people here tend to see it as part of Barnstable Public Schools, rather than the other two that stand alone as their own districts.  

So what is it that bothers people about independent charter schools?  

There's been quite a bit of recent controversy over a local charter school as people are fretting about the union, wasting tax dollars, poor performance, administration?  The list goes on and though Lighthouse Charter has been on the hot seat recently, it would be easy enough to substitute most any other district on the Cape in their place.  Maybe Dennis-Yarmouth?, Sandwich?, Falmouth?

Looking at charter schools from an observer's point of view, these schools seem to be much more at risk for scrutiny about spending and are often targeted about their academic programs or catering to motivated or "top students". Charter schools operate on budgets based on student enrollment that are reported quarterly.  That's it!   Similar to a what many people would understand to be  " a general business model".  As I stated previously, they have to be responsible for their own management.  No prop 2 1/2 bailout or federal funds unless they provide qualifying programs like Title I.  Charter schools also don't have the ability to receive  federal assistance with building or expanding unless they apply for a grant.  Guess that explains why Sturgis started off in a furniture store, and CCLCS is looking at a movie theater.  Too bad the other opportunities didn't pan out for Lighthouse in the old elementary school or town hall.  This process really forces those seeking to start or expand a charter school to be very creative.  Interesting enough, both charter and other public schools can raise funds, though this is usually done more in the area of capital or project based rather than for operations.

I know there is more to it than this, I'm just trying to reflect that charter schools operate (from my understanding and reading over the Massachusetts Department of Education DESE site), like checks and balances rather than that of a nut shell game used by traditional districts in their reporting.  Both use a similar set up, ones just more transparent. 

They use a hand full of primary categories and additional subcategories totaling about 75 in all to "figure the budget".   That's a lot of shells to keep track of with only one nut!  It's a game alright.  Ever try reading a school districts budget or finding answers to those "unknown" questions? They will have you scratching your head for hours, and guaranteed you will end up with more questions than when you started.   Another topic for another day.  Maybe?  

Coming Next

Focus willl be on the understanding of "School Choice", which is much different than what I'll call "Charter Choice".  Get ready to find out what's really benind this slight of hand often used to decieve you, the taxpayer.

~ Just a view from an Observer

Part One here.
Part Two here.

Part 2: Damn Charter Schools!!!

Damn Charter Schools!
They're only glorified hippy liberal day cares wasting taxpayers money

                Part Two of a series.

It's good to take a step back and look at the facts before emotions rise and get ugly.  What's the deal about Charter Schools?  Why all the ruckus?  Jimmy Buffett once wrote about having a school boy heart and a novelists eye. With that said, let's take a look at charter schools.

Back in 1993 an Education Reform Act was created to provide a different type of Public School.  Previously, there were Traditional and Vocational Public schools.  Many of us attended them only knowing them as our local school.  The idea of a Charter School was to be an independent public school providing a choice for parents to choose a different type of public education experience.  

Charter School's were designed to operate with greater autonomy providing more freedom in academics (though still following state frameworks), financial management, operations (internal and physical) and they had a tendency not to be unionized, therefore employees are evaluated on their merits and did not have the benefit of collective bargaining.   At first glance this sounds more like Disney World than the traditional "draconian" version of the current education system, "one size fits all". 

In the past, some have made comments that Charter Schools are like petri dishes or lab experiments of the education world, or a hole to waste taxpayer monies.  I think you could make this argument for any new business venture whether public or private.  We all know of more that one government project that has fallen apart or not lived up to its expectations, and on a more somber note, in this difficult economic time, we may have more than one friend's business that has not made it as well either.  Charter schools like other businesses were to provide an innovative and healthy competition to the traditional choice.  Relax, before you get all worked up about the "sacrificing our children" and no one is getting an educational lobotomy or being burned at the stake. Take a breath before you fire of a comment.

Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School may become the only one unionized in the State.

When I last looked into independent unionized charter schools, there were only two in the State.  However, this may change soon as The Globe reported last week regarding Brighton's Conservatory Lab Charter School, and their union standing.  The AFL/CIO Teacher's Union may need to find a new charter school poster child for their campaign.  If the Conservatory were to leave, then this would leave the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School (CCLCS) being the unionizing charter beacon of the State.    I had to laugh a bit when that popped in my head.  Talk about irony!

The Quick Facts:
Charter Schools are part of a educational buffet we have available out here on the Cape.  This in addition to the Traditional Public, Vocational, Private, Private Parochial, and so on (that's not even touching the specialized programs or schools).  As with any buffet, the key is to look around at what is offered, don't eat too much at once, and be careful of eating from the raw bar that's been left in the sun all day (yes, someone is attending that station, but they are just going to nod, smile and offer you more).  Getting back to the understanding of charter schools,  these schools are "Public", meaning oversight by the Government (Local and/or State depending on the type).  So what could go wrong?   After some digging around, listening, and trying not to get too too lost with all the regulations and jargon, this is what seems to be the meat of charter schools.

The first charter school opened in Massachusetts in 1995 .  Currently, there are 64 charter schools in the State, (57 independent and 7 Horace Mann).  This equates to about 2% of the student population.  The cap for charter schools in the state is 120.  So don't worry, they aren't going to pop up like Dunkin Donuts on the Cape. 

Governance & Accountability:
Each school(s) are governed by a Board of Trustees
Both operate independent of their local public schools.
All follow mandated statewide testing (MCAS).
Adhere to Regular and Special Education Laws
Schools are evaluated for charter renewal every five years by the State's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Schools Charters may be, Not Granted/Revoked/Non Renewed by the DESE.
Typically are non-unionized
Teachers according to the DESE are public school teachers and need hold a degree(s) and/or certification(s).
Charter's may have a strong academic focus such as music, or choose their own curriculum.  
Charter's were first established in urban areas to provide a different opportunity for students.

Funding:
Free of charge to attend, they are Public not Private
Schools receive State funding but NOT Federal (unless they have federal programs such as title one, or receive from application federal grants)
No Federal money available for building or renovation their physical plant.
Proposition 2 ½ does not apply, and therefore they cannot request more funding.
Charter schools have the ability to fund raise typically in the form of a "foundation" or      "friends" entity. (so doesn't traditional ones)
Sending Public School District is reimbursed for the students attending the charter school.  (I'll get to this later)

Admission:
Lottery based enrollment!
Preference is only give to students whose sibling(s) currently attends the charter school at the time of their enrollment.

Teacher's children are not given preference. (They go into a bucket everyone else)

The person drawing the prospective student's names from the lottery cannot be directly affiliated with school that the lottery is being held for.

Testing is not require but after a students is enrolled, they may need to take a placement test. 

So What?
Charter Schools are open to all students that apply for the the lottery.  If their lucky number is drawn then they get in.  It does not matter if the student is special education or not, they are a public schools.  Take the time and learn about the school your looking at.  Just like any major decision, learn about what your committing yourself too.

Everything has positives and negatives, it's reality!  There are no "perfect school".   I say this because it is important to be informed!  Visit the school while it is in session, talk to the students and parents, ask in the community about it.  Research it!  This doesn't only apply to charter schools, but when looking at any school.  Each school  has their own purpose, expectations, and atmosphere.  Understanding the opportunities and limitations of each environments will contribute to the success of the student.  

Make sure its a good fit!  Local public schools provide a traditional opportunity in a broad manner to meet the needs of many students.  The Cape Tech schools provide academics paired with hands on technical training and social skill building for success in the working world.  CCLCS emphasizes academics through project based learning, community exploration and global awareness, and lastly Sturgis offers a college preparatory environment focused on the rigorous International Baccalaureate program for all its students.  The right choice may change everything for a student's growth and development.  The wrong choice can too!

~ Just a view from an Observer

See Part One here.