Comments on: A school has a year to prove it can do the (almost) impossible

By: A Teacher Log

A Teacher Log — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:21:45 +0000

[...] For the full text, click here. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)One teacher burnout… coming up!Test Prep Charter School for Standardizing KidsWhat President Obama Said About EducationAre You a Winner? [...]

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:23:54 +0000

Yes, I would like to thank you guys for the humility and checking yourselves. I am an administrator at a charter school in the Bronx, and about 15% of our students have IEPs (the percentage across NYC is 11%). However, I did work at a charter school in Harlem prior to my current one, and “counseling out” students with more severe disabilities was a regular practice. There are definitely charter schools that do this, and it’s unfair. Unfortunately, when charter schools get high test scores, people seem to be blinded by the high test scores, and don’t do any close inspections.

By: Nancy Green

Nancy Green — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:04:58 +0000

Kitchensink – Good point! I can not speak for New York; but I have some experience here in California. The goal is to have high achievement scores and many schools do not want to serve kids with IEPs. In California, I don’t know about New York, local public schools must serve students with IEPs in private schools – test them, do their IEPs, etc. New York has seemed to be a leader for years in education and special education too. There is a lot of innovation coming from
there. So I can not speak for New York at all; and probably not for all Charter schools in California either. But only those I have had contact with, or have attended their presentations as they state “that their kids scores beat public schools” but when asked (by me) how many students with IEPs they serve, answer is “None.” You are right, I did generalize. That’s why I was so positive toward Opportunty. Thanks for reining me in, though.

By: KitchenSink

KitchenSink — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:03:15 +0000

AHEM, Nancy, when you say “most” charter schools, are you going by your impression and word of mouth or do you have an at least rudimentary analysis of charter school special education and student support practices?

I would say that in my experience (and I do not have such an analysis, nor do I think one exists, though I would love to see one, school-by-school, for charters in NYC) charters run the gamut with regard to special education. I’d bet good money that there are charters that turn away special education kids, perhaps overtly or perhaps by erecting barriers. However, I’d also bet that “most” charters don’t fall into that category.

I’m trying to say that your point is valid, but I want to be careful about over-generalizing.

By: Cheryl Jorgensen

Cheryl Jorgensen — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:35:47 +0000

Lovely idea, bad implementation. The model this school is using is NOT – I repeat – NOT inclusive education. Inclusive education is defined by students with and without disabilities learning together in NATURAL PROPORTIONS in general education classrooms. These classes are overly weighted with students with disabilities. No wonder teachers are having a difficult time trying to differentiate instruction.

By: Nancy Green

Nancy Green — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:13:16 +0000

CA – Most Charter school won’t touch kids with IEPS; they require teaching methods a bit at variance than those of children that do not have disabilities and may be gifted. Instruction for kids with IEPs needs lots of scaffolding, structure, repetition and constant checking for understanding to see if the students are learning. The other students without IEPs and perhaps without disabilities may be bored to tears by this method and require more challenging and stimulating curriculum that could overwhelm children with disabilities. Also, the pace of instruction could be faster for those without IEPs whereas children with IEPs require a slower and more methodical pace. This school needs to be applauded for trying to educate kids the rest of charter schools refuse to touch.
Inclusion may not work in every single instance, and other methodologies should be explored.

By: SBC Charter Roundup 30 – Schools Building Communities

SBC Charter Roundup 30 – Schools Building Communities — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:22:41 +0000

[...] N.Y. — As state nears charter school cap, push is on to approve more (Ithaca Journal) N.Y. — A school has a year to prove it can do the (almost) impossible (Gotham Schools) N.Y. — Gov. Paterson: Where is your education strategy? (Huffington Post) Pa. [...]