State Regents criticize board's charter school plan

[Night Owl]

From the Buffalo News:
State Regents criticize board's charter school plan

Concern aired for children left behind.

Some state Regents Tuesday criticized the Buffalo Board of Education's plan to create a network of district-sponsored charter schools, saying it could hurt children left behind in traditional public schools and appears to be a "union-busting" tactic.
"Do we run the risk of damaging those (children) not able to take advantage of charter schools?" said Regent Robert M. Johnson of Long Island. "This is such a profound, conceptual transformation that I think mapping out an entire business plan is something I would like to see and understand."

Johnson said the Board of Education is acting with good intentions, but he has "nagging doubts" that the initiative is based on this premise: "The only way to deal with the labor issues that are choking the Buffalo schools is doing an end run on them.

view the complete story here (http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040421/1057387.asp)

[morphinebrian]

I'm all in favor of union busting the teachers union. I don't think they are paid too much, although I think longer school year and school day are needed.

[WNYresident]

so why bust it if you think they are not over paid?

[morphinebrian]

longer hours/longer school year. not everything is about money.

[kristop]

Charters...are the flavor of the month....

I like their concepts in education but not neccessarily the concept of them....

The media for the most part in this town loves them....listen to the radio talk shows and they are all over the BTF.....

On one hand, I can't blame the teachers...the getting has been so good for so long why would anyone want to give it up????

On the other hand, they are part of the fiscal problem as well...

The News article correctly points out that the city sponsored charters are more than "what's best for the children"... They are a ploy to get at the BTF from negotiation angle.... To think otherwise is crazy.....

I wish both sides would do what is best for the children....

Create an educational system that focuses on the children first and foremost.....

[morphinebrian]

Lets get a poll here: what do people think is worse, the amount of money the schools cost, or the education that comes our of those schools.

I will be on record on saying that it is the education that is the problem. I have no problem paying an effective teacher a teachers salary. However, the school day must be longer, the year longer, and an ineffective tenured teacher must be dismissable.

[WNYresident]

Word how you want the question and then the poll answers. I'll set it up for you

[Unregistered]

I wish both sides would do what is best for the children

This should be first concern. I think if it is done right, the Buffalo schools should base their teachers at a charter level/concept without actually having a charter school, and the best of what they offer will come out of the children. A specific schooling title or brand new building doesn't change the process of 'education' as a whole.

I'll have to look up what the drop-out rate is, but I think it's at an all-time high right now.

I have sworn off on city schools, and will probably never consider another need for them, but my conditions vary from other partents. I utilized my option of educational choice. I don't know enough about charters, some say they are a true wonder for learning, and some have expressed bad expieriences.


I will be on record on saying that it is the education that is the problem.

IMO- I think it's a combination of both and other entities like the lack of parental involvement.

[Night Owl]

ut, oh. Admin will have to fix this.

the 'unregistered' post above is mine.

[WNYresident]

OH my! we need to call the boss :)

[Admin]

OK, it's fixed.

[Night Owl]

wow, such fast service... and with a smile too.
Someone give that guy a raise ;)

[Night Owl]

okay, back to topic.

here is the link to Enterprise Charter School (http://www.enterprisecharter.org/document_1.html)

It says: The Enterprise Charter School offers an innovative school program based on supporting every child's knowledge, skills, and dispositions to grow and problem solve, giving them the resources to succeed in the school and become active in the community.