This from a high school classmate of mine: [View all]

[elleng]

I get so frustrated reading editorials blaming the 'education establishment' (teachers) for being opposed to change. (charter schools) that I wrote my own answer trying to explain why. I just keep screaming into the wind.

Editor: The Daily Press
Re: Editorial “Mapping Our Best Course” Wed. Jan. 27, 2016

There is a reason that the ‘educational establishment’ is opposed to charter schools, and it is not because the ‘current public schools are doing so well educating students.’ It is because charter schools’ proponents make the false assumption that every child has a parent who is willing and able to investigate options to make a school choice which is in the child’s best interest. Unfortunately in the real world, not all students have parents who can act as educational advocates.

When students leave their public school to attend a charter, they take the per pupil funding with them. Therefore, those students without parental support are forced to remain in a school less able to deliver needed support services. (free breakfast and lunch, health care, help for non-English speakers, special education) The charter schools option would therefore divide all students into those with supportive parents and those without: a 2 tiered system of public education.

Since our country began, free public education allowed children of immigrants to rise up the ladder of success to reach the middle class and beyond in one generation. As a society, it enabled us to take advantage of new talent that entered from abroad. Public education never assumed that all students entered with equal ability. It did offer all students equal opportunity regardless of their background.

This explains why those who sport public education are opposed to charter schools. Public education has always provided the avenue to equal opportunity for all, a level playing field, the basis for living the American Dream. It’s against our values and our belief system to take that away.

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Just heard the letter made it into the paper today.