tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post1302368195096239244..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: For NC charters, call Florida firmUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-78368509651625901972014-05-05T22:45:50.789-04:002014-05-05T22:45:50.789-04:00Anne,
Do you think it would be possible for you to...Anne,<br />Do you think it would be possible for you to do a follow up story at the conclusion of this school year regarding the enrollment and withdrawal numbers at both Langtree and Cabarrus Charter Academy. I have noticed that they are very proud to discuss the wait lists, could you find out the withdrawal numbers. I think it would be really interesting to compare teacher turnover between the local school systems with each of these charters. Also, while Cabarrus charter has kept quiet on the matter, their founding principal, Rebecca McCall is no longer employed at the school. Is this common to see principals exit without any announcement?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-80870150622104316782014-03-20T16:37:26.749-04:002014-03-20T16:37:26.749-04:00I'm curious: Four comments in the last half ho...I'm curious: Four comments in the last half hour on a six-month-old post is unusual. What's going on? Someone must have shared a link somewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-32208362445173987262014-03-20T16:28:47.352-04:002014-03-20T16:28:47.352-04:00We left LCA 4 months in....Our link for exit didn&...We left LCA 4 months in....Our link for exit didn't work either! Imagine that? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-14823033679422771192014-03-20T16:24:38.039-04:002014-03-20T16:24:38.039-04:00The state is not overseeing charter schools like t...The state is not overseeing charter schools like they do public schools. I know charter schools are public but they rarest held accountable. Of course they want parent volunteers bc that's one way they save $$!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-22586240900052600902014-03-20T16:20:28.799-04:002014-03-20T16:20:28.799-04:00Our situation wasn't what you have referred to...Our situation wasn't what you have referred to above. The school has issues that people aren't aware of. Trust me....we are an example.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-16023379303579440632014-03-20T16:14:57.745-04:002014-03-20T16:14:57.745-04:00I agree! We pulled out too! Our teacher was great....I agree! We pulled out too! Our teacher was great...i will leave it at that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-87467035828098665242013-10-14T11:55:27.125-04:002013-10-14T11:55:27.125-04:00Ashley,
My distain is for the bureucracy and poli...Ashley,<br /><br />My distain is for the bureucracy and political correctness that has stymied public education for decades, not CMS itself.<br /><br />Thank you for agreeing that CMS and other LEAS use capacity and enrollment numbers to tell a story they want to tell.<br /><br /><b><i>Also, along those same lines, if they cap the number of students per classroom, that will change capacity as well.</i></b>Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-49349921029825238052013-10-14T11:26:05.602-04:002013-10-14T11:26:05.602-04:00Wiley,
I understood the point you were trying to ...Wiley,<br /><br />I understood the point you were trying to make just fine. However I was making a counterpoint to how the capacity numbers can change too. Also, along those same lines, if they cap the number of students per classroom, that will change capacity as well.<br /><br />We all know you have complete and total disdain for CMS, but hopefully you will eventually realize that some schools need major work done to them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-18852193898227882442013-10-14T11:10:25.358-04:002013-10-14T11:10:25.358-04:00Ashley,
New leadership in CMS means nothing. Morr...Ashley,<br /><br />New leadership in CMS means nothing. Morrison is no different than any other educrat managing a public school system.<br /><br />W've had "new leadership" how many times since 2000 and every single one touts how they are/have closed the achievement gap!<br /><br />Yes we can and should thank the County. God forbid CMS have taxing authority to go with their inability to plan.<br /><br />You totally missed the point of my posting the school capacity study...<br /><br />Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-18166861397524226172013-10-14T09:54:36.623-04:002013-10-14T09:54:36.623-04:00Wiley,
I am glad you did a study of capacity schoo...Wiley,<br />I am glad you did a study of capacity schools in Columbia, SC in the mid 80s, good for you. Yes I know that some schools have low utilization numbers, but that doesn't still doesn't stop the need for replacement schools and overcrowding at other schools. As far as the drop in capacity of schools, is it such a bad thing to have labs, assembly space, band rooms, etc.. no .. <br /><br />Yes we have spent the past 6 years without the previous bond money being used, you can thank the county for that, and many of those items on that bond are still needed, just like items on the new bond are needed. <br /><br />Anon 6:19 You are incorrect. CMS enrollment is still growing and it is the county that controls when CMS can use the bond money, so you can complain to your county rep about the delay in bonds being used. Also, CMS is under new leadership since the bonds were issued in 2007<br />Ashley HolmesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-4809248304746552102013-10-14T09:11:38.450-04:002013-10-14T09:11:38.450-04:00Yes, for some families, Langtree has been an impro...Yes, for some families, Langtree has been an improvement over their other school options. For other families,it has not. Our recommendation is to evaluate the school and review facts before deciding the best path for your children and your family. You can find people with great hearts, at any school. :-) At Langtree, the average class size is larger than public schools; each classroom size is small and many do not have any windows. Parents are not allowed to have lunch with students, unless they volunteer to work. Teachers/students attend for longer hours than at Public schools. Teachers have less Teaching Assistants - partly from state cuts (thank you politicians!), but also because the school is managed by a for-profit organization. There will not be a gym for at least 2+ years - regardless of what parent fundraisers are held. Gym, will be held in open classrooms during inclement weather, until they fill up - and then other plans will have to be made. The Charter school teaches the exact SAME curriculum as the public schools. Communication is a challenge at all levels, including from corporate Charter Schools USA. There has been no communication from school board, nor is there any way to contact them. It has been difficult for some parents to know what is going on in classrooms, assignments, grades, etc. - partly because of PowerSchool, but also because corporate doesn't allow for Langtree to publish info on web, so teachers have to find their own work arounds if they want to leverage technology. Parents are asked to volunteer in operational roles predominantly (as opposed to those with educational aspects). Yes, there has already been turnover in teachers, staff, and with families leaving Langtree - there doesn't appear to be any sort of exit-interview process; some received electronic surveys - but links don't work, so may be a challenge to truly understand why folks have left....but should be noted. Parents have voiced concerns and yes, they will be working out the kinks - but it just may take a few years before they are running smoothly, despite having an experienced corporation running the school. Again - I would just encourage you to evaluate facts/statistics, and of course, encourage Ann to continue to blog/write about the charter schools. By discussing details of our education systems, we can all understand, contribute, and support the improving of education in NC. Charter schools aren't bad - healthy competition is good - but we also need to ensure that there is a transparency with all. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-82382171993032855122013-10-13T14:23:02.814-04:002013-10-13T14:23:02.814-04:00My kids have attended charter schools for over 4 y...My kids have attended charter schools for over 4 years now. Every school has good and bad, but I can tell you I have never had a VP stand in front of a room full of parents and state we don't know these kids we only know the bad ones. That is what we got from CMS when my daughter got student of the month. My kids are in Lake Norman Charter and Cabarrus Charter Academy. We are thrilled with both schools. We will move our son in 5th grade to LNC since it is better established and closer to our home, but CCA is still a great place to be. Charters have parents that care and that helps the teachers and admin make a better school. Charters are not for everyone, but for my kids it is the right choice. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-31041534277476705622013-10-12T08:37:16.137-04:002013-10-12T08:37:16.137-04:00I took my kids out of CMS last year and I'm no...I took my kids out of CMS last year and I'm now paying "double", paying tuition and paying my CMS taxes but no longer using the services. We couldn't be happier. You're welcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-36764959086432954852013-10-11T18:19:01.193-04:002013-10-11T18:19:01.193-04:00Ashley does it make sense to build a school if you...Ashley does it make sense to build a school if you cannot hire a quality teacher? CMS has had the money to build schools since 2007 and has not. Enrollment is not growing what CMS is dealing with is less schools. That was their choice with possibly some county influence. In closing I can sum it up only one way very very poor management.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-51372558384335367622013-10-11T17:15:53.751-04:002013-10-11T17:15:53.751-04:00Do the Charter schools teach basic personal financ...Do the Charter schools teach basic personal finance and economics so they know money needs to be earned?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-86296073884225098052013-10-11T11:30:56.529-04:002013-10-11T11:30:56.529-04:00Ashley,
Before we closed schools, there were scho...Ashley,<br /><br />Before we closed schools, there were schools with around 50%+/- capacity. We closed schools and did fine without them.<br /><br />We also seemed to have functioned the past 6 years without renovations and other projects from the last bond package.<br /><br />School systems see closing schools as a failure instead of an opportunity to be more efficient with existing space and tax money.<br /><br />School capacity and enrollment data are moving targets they control.<br /><br />I did a study on enrollment and capacity in the mid-80's of all high schools in Columbia, SC going back 12 years.<br /><br />What I found was that every single year the enrollment declined, so did the stated school capacity. That happened in every high school except one, which was the farthest school in the east of the county where there was growth.<br /><br />My high school had between 1,800 to 1,600 students at the time I went there and was added onto during that same time with many classrooms, a theater and art department. By the mid-80's, the stated school capacity had dropped to 1,100 with a little under 900 students enrolled. <br /><br />My school and others didn't shrink, but it goes to show how numbers can be manipulated to suit the need. Not that it's illegal, but you see the point.<br /><br />There is no question some schools are overcrowded and relief needs to happen, but as we've seen from CMS before, they will build schools to placate a crowd or in the wrong place(s) By the time they get around to building a school based on projections, the economy changes and/or populations shift.<br /><br />So as we build schools, we also need to close some and better utilize existing space based on needs/facts and not by a diversity driven mantra. If we need to build schools in the north and south of the county and close some schools in the inner city, so be it.<br /><br />But untill we get people in power with that mindset, vote no on bonds and against those politicians who support the status quo....Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-70309729785559422962013-10-11T10:54:23.246-04:002013-10-11T10:54:23.246-04:00Why is it that so many people are opposed to "...Why is it that so many people are opposed to "profit" in a classroom while they mostly seem okay with "waste"?<br /><br />Again, I don't see much data indicating that profit vs. non-profit matters much.<br /><br />And we all know from our experiences with "non-profit" hospitals that non-profit DOES NOT mean that no one is skimming a lot of money off operations for their own benefit.<br /><br />Many "non-profits" pay huge salaries and otherwise waste tons of money.<br /><br />And many of them are downright inefficient as well.<br /><br />United Way, anyone?<br /><br />I prefer to judge the schools by their results, not necessarily by their "business model".<br /><br />And those "results" may be different for different parents. <br /><br />No one shoe fits all.<br /><br />So, in general, Charter schools still look like a good option to have to me.<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-8729474375261223052013-10-11T09:03:12.333-04:002013-10-11T09:03:12.333-04:00Keith.
7:06 has a point about them being private s...Keith.<br />7:06 has a point about them being private schools. Charter Schools USA is a for profit company, running charter schools across the nation for a profit. People tend to call those private businesses.<br /><br />As far as your comment about not needing bonds due to the "free" 17 charter schools opening. How many of those 17 schools are providing lunch and transportation services? What is the total capacity of those schools? What grades do they serve? Are they going to be required to accept students over their capacity? What happens if a charter school doesn't get enough applicants for its capacity?<br /><br />Are the charter schools going to be required to take students from other charters when they close their doors?<br /><br />I am not saying that CMS doesn't have its issues because it does. However, to think that schools don't need to be renovated\replaced or even new schools built to keep up with increasing enrollment is shortsighted.<br /><br />Ashley Holmes Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-22976072860845326942013-10-11T09:01:55.815-04:002013-10-11T09:01:55.815-04:00Mr. Hurley,
You might want to apply the same man...Mr. Hurley,<br /> You might want to apply the same mantra you continually espouse for CMS to the Florida for profit folks. A little research seems to point at many of the same problems from overstuffed classrooms, low pay, under qualified teachers, bean counter priorities, employee turnover, etc. As 9:47 suggested, check out the reviews and especially the longer pieces on the management priorities, no curriculum, lack of supplies and year long teaching to the test. Sound familiar?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-20522896537537903172013-10-10T20:03:03.138-04:002013-10-10T20:03:03.138-04:007:06 your comment makes no sense. We don't nee...7:06 your comment makes no sense. We don't need bonds passed in Charlotte with 17 free schools on the way as charters. It's not about CMS not having the funding that goes to charters for the kids. The funding of course follows the student so CMS has to become accountable. If you think they are accountable now then enjoy your cough syrup. If you need a education on supply and demand let me know. If you need a refresher in economics feel free to give me a jingle. If you want 35 kids in a classroom to try to learn then carry on. Keith W. HurleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-83559700065065314632013-10-10T12:40:07.230-04:002013-10-10T12:40:07.230-04:00Lobby the state for "better" schools?
I...Lobby the state for "better" schools?<br /><br />Isn't that how Charter schools got started in the first place?<br /><br />Let the parents who choose the Charters decide if they're a "farce" or not.<br /><br />As for the other options, they are still there for those who choose (and/or can afford) them.<br /><br />No particular "type" of school, public, private or charter is necessarily better or worse than the others.<br /><br />There are some trends and patterns, but it's still no guarantee.<br /><br />I don't see this as the downfall of public schools at all.<br /><br />(Despite what Diane Ravitch NOW says...)<br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-6480393213351447142013-10-10T07:06:48.949-04:002013-10-10T07:06:48.949-04:00This information proves that charter schools are n...This information proves that charter schools are not "public" schools, but private schools that receive public money. To the person who commented that increasing charter schools should help alleviate overcrowding in public school: in fact, the exact opposite occurs. For every student in a charter school, the local school district must give the per-student allotment (money from the state) to the charter school. Thus, there is LESS money for the public schools. Charter schools are a farce. If you don't like the public schools, pay to go to a private school, or lobby the state for better schools. Running from the problems won't help anyone in the end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-13225440951570090552013-10-09T21:15:40.031-04:002013-10-09T21:15:40.031-04:00To the parent who pulled your child out of Langtre...To the parent who pulled your child out of Langtree Charter........ Best of luck to you. The parents I saw leaving Langtree were the parents who didn't bother to educate themselves about charter schools in the first place. They didn't have the patience it takes to be involved in a charter school. It's a partnership between parent and school. I was cautiously optimistic about our leaving CMS. I wasn't jumping for joy. I got educated about the school and I had patience. My daughter is in one of those windowless classrooms. She has never mentioned it ever. After the first week, she said, " I would never go back to my old CMS school." At that point, any fear I had went away. It's not about how many windows a school has or whether or not it has a gym.....It's about the education. Anyone who can't understand or see that shouldn't be at a charter school. Leaving an old school for a brand new charter school is a huge leap faith for a teacher, parent and a child. It's not for everyone. Some families and teachers are ready for it and some aren't. As a parent who volunteers all the time, I see first hand the improvements and the progress. I am thrilled my 3rd grader has the opportunity to broaden her horizon with new teaching methods and activities. It's an fantastic school! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-63257829853118078282013-10-09T18:04:24.390-04:002013-10-09T18:04:24.390-04:00You have reported almost 17 new charters in a 2 ye...You have reported almost 17 new charters in a 2 year period. This will help CMS by reducing some classroom numbers hopefully. If I could trust the CMS enrollment they putout every year I could make sense of the data. Who knows CMS might even be able to plan for class sizes if they knew the real data. <br />The charters should be welcomed with open arms to hold. CMS accountable. Keith W. HurleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-42338127062656374462013-10-09T13:42:20.575-04:002013-10-09T13:42:20.575-04:00Thanks Anon 9:10. I knew about that article. I d...Thanks Anon 9:10. I knew about that article. I did not think it was about last year but the school year before that.<br /><br />I remmember they would not let Ann vist Myers Park but they did let her visit Mallard Creek HS. Some of that was political becuaseMalard Creek has more midle class blacks who behave better are more on track academically. They key I thought was that students had to get to class early to have a seat or they say on the floor. Those issues seemed unimportant to the BOE and the superintendent. They were more into cozing up to the NAACP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com