Post Reporter Looking Charter Special Ed Parents for a Story

[Anonymous]

I think Turque should do a story on charters that are designed to meet the needs of special needs (which we need more schools in the District reaching special needs) being held to unfair measurements by NCLB--which is on its way out anyway. THAT would be an interesting story. Charter schools thrive on flexibility, and it would be great if they had some flexibility in assessments that are fair to the population they serve - though they should be transparent and evaluated by an outside source once agreed upon.

[Anonymous]

Saying any one anecdote represents charters is like saying a child's experience at Janney will be the same as Savoy. The fact is that they serve a wide range of locations and types of students. Post your experience here and send it on to Turque see how the article comes out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Turque should do a story on charters that are designed to meet the needs of special needs (which we need more schools in the District reaching special needs) being held to unfair measurements by NCLB--which is on its way out anyway. THAT would be an interesting story. Charter schools thrive on flexibility, and it would be great if they had some flexibility in assessments that are fair to the population they serve - though they should be transparent and evaluated by an outside source once agreed upon.

Again, (I posted the above), Charter Schools COULD be one of the interesting answers to special needs education in the district. I am not sure which charter would want to wade in and focus on special needs with one hand tied behind its back by NCLB. It would be shuttered in a few years. There was an article in today's post about a charter succesfully reaching special needs. They had failed 'AYP' , but the special needs kids were showing progress. Isn't that the real goal? But will this charter be shuttered ina few years due to failure of AYP pass rates? THAT would be an interesting topic to probe and draw attention to Mr. Turque.

[Anonymous]

Bill, the backup info on the OSSE residency audit has a list of charters that support students in out placements. I learned that my DC's charter has placed one child at Ivymount, and one at Kingsbury, due to needs beyond what the school can provide. Suggest you look and that data. Look at what % of charters have out placements. And what % of kids. If kids with severe needs are randomly placed, it should be ~ the same as DCPS. Random of course not true because parents probably adjust their school choice depending on student's needs.

[Anonymous]

A comment from Turque's blog:

4LOM
1:26 PM EDT
I believe that there is an outstanding federal complaint regarding a number of DC Charter schools and how they are not properly serving children with special needs. My assumption was that this piece was in relation to that complaint and that Mr. Turque was collecting sources. It's not hard to reach out to the Public Charter School Board and ask for some parents who are happy with their schools and happy to talk to the press. It's tougher to find parents (and there are many) who have either been counseled out of Charters or have had their child forced out of charters due to disability. If you want positive Charter stories, check out Jay Matthews today - or the Post Editorial board generally.

[Anonymous]

I have a story to tell, but I can't speak openly about it for fear of retaliation from the school. I just wonder how many people like us are out there unable to tell their story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the Washington Post web site
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-schools-insider/post/iso-current-or-former-parents-of-charter-school-special-education-students/2012/05/23/gJQAFLxUkU_blog.html

ISO: Current or former parents of charter school special education students
By Bill Turque

I’m working on a story about how public charter schools serve special education students. If you’re a current or former charter school parent of a child with an IEP, I’d like to hear about your experiences, negative and positive. I’m especially interested in speaking to families who feel they’ve been discouraged from enrolling or “counseled out.”

You can reach me at turqueb at washpost dot com or 202-334-9294.

As a parent of a child with an IEP, I'm genuinely surprised - almost shocked? - he hasn't contacted Bridges. It was an amazing school for my child, and my only complaint is that it didn't go past pre-school. It broke my heart to have to leave.

Bridges has been around for what? 7 or 8 years? I can't believe a responsible reporter is unaware of this school, its mission, and its record. I'm torn between wanting to contact him, and being so underwhelmed at his research abilities as to believe this is a snow job and there is no point.

[Anonymous]

Is there anything to make you suspect he does not know about Bridges and has not contacted the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a story to tell, but I can't speak openly about it for fear of retaliation from the school. I just wonder how many people like us are out there unable to tell their story.

So contact him. You don't have to talk, "on the record."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a story to tell, but I can't speak openly about it for fear of retaliation from the school. I just wonder how many people like us are out there unable to tell their story.

What do you think they would do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a story to tell, but I can't speak openly about it for fear of retaliation from the school. I just wonder how many people like us are out there unable to tell their story.

Possibly a lot, which may be why Turque is trying to contact them. A good reporter, which Turque is, will not force sources to identify themselves publicly. Say you will speak to him "on background" if he's interested. That means he can't quote you or use your name unless you give him your permission to do so.

Do be prepared to have some way of verifying your identity (and/or your infomration) to him. Reporters don't want to spend time talking to a fraud or a spy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a story to tell, but I can't speak openly about it for fear of retaliation from the school. I just wonder how many people like us are out there unable to tell their story.

Possibly a lot, which may be why Turque is trying to contact them. A good reporter, which Turque is, will not force sources to identify themselves publicly. Say you will speak to him "on background" if he's interested. That means he can't quote you or use your name unless you give him your permission to do so.

Do be prepared to have some way of verifying your identity (and/or your infomration) to him. Reporters don't want to spend time talking to a fraud or a spy.

Like what?

[Anonymous]

Like telling him your name (which he as a good reporter will keep confidential -- remember deep throat?) and the names of people in the school that he can verify.

Reporters will fact check any info they get whether from a confidential source or not.

Contact him and tell him your concerns - then see if he can work something out to your satisfaction - if not you don't have to continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Turque should do a story on charters that are designed to meet the needs of special needs (which we need more schools in the District reaching special needs) being held to unfair measurements by NCLB--which is on its way out anyway. THAT would be an interesting story. Charter schools thrive on flexibility, and it would be great if they had some flexibility in assessments that are fair to the population they serve - though they should be transparent and evaluated by an outside source once agreed upon.

Totally agree with you.
Special needs does not mean the student is not able to perform well. But when charters know the situation of the kid (including ESL), read the IEP and do absolutely NOTHING to accommodate these needs, that school should be held accountable for the damage they have caused. And please believe me when I say that its a common practice to change a few answers per student for children on the cusp. No one will suspect anything, but the results of the DC CAS will be higher by about 25%. it is such a joke!

[Anonymous]

I believe you.

Now go and talk to the reporter. Posting it on here won't change anything, but getting it verified and in the paper might