what are the various pro-neighborhood public school organizations out there?

[Anonymous]

Are there any equivalents for neighborhood, public schools to something like the Center for Education Reform that is pro-charter?

[Anonymous]

This question is incoherent.

[Anonymous]

NP, it's completely understandable.

OP, I think that is just the norm so there may not be organizations supporting it per se.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I knew exactly what OP was talking about. Great question. The sad answer is that there's not any. The pro charter movement is so well funded everywhere that they easily set up to lobby for more charters in DC and other cities, at the expense of neighborhood schools. The cap hill public school group led by Suzanne wells and others is about as close as it gets. It's too bad because I have always felt that there should be a local advocacy group for exactly what you describe not just to counter the pro-charter rhetoric, but also to bring some balance and rational planning for a comprehensive school system. Also, a group like that could put more organized pressure on DCPS to tout their successes and strengths, while still pushing Dcps to improve.

[Anonymous]

OP, please start one!

[Anonymous]

Doesn't the teachers Union do this? I don't mean this in a snarky way. They just strike me as the best-funded opponents of charters.

[Anonymous]

Is there a strong association of all PTAs? It would be great for PARENTS to have a stronger voice.

[Anonymous]

AFT and NEA have both done work on this.

Save our Schools: http://saveourschoolsmarch.org/

Forum for Education and Democracy: http://forumforeducation.org/

Locally, the Coalition for DC Public Schools and Communities is just getting off the ground, and one of their key tenets is ensuring all neighborhood schools are strengthened: http://www.c4dcpublicschools.org/

[Anonymous]

Lots of Anti-neighborhood public school organizations, becuase there's a lot more money at stake in the privatization racket.

For instance, check out FOCUS:

http://focusdc.org/charter-facts

Fact is, neighborhood schools will never be safe until DCPS decides it wants to build a System that serves DC residents as opposed to parochial political interests (including charters).

The fact that every single charter is on par with DCPS with LEA status gives every single one of them just as much pull politically (if they want it) and even more power when the jointly hire lobbyists and trade groups....and file lawsuits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of Anti-neighborhood public school organizations, becuase there's a lot more money at stake in the privatization racket.

For instance, check out FOCUS:

http://focusdc.org/charter-facts

Fact is, neighborhood schools will never be safe until DCPS decides it wants to build a System that serves DC residents as opposed to parochial political interests (including charters).

The fact that every single charter is on par with DCPS with LEA status gives every single one of them just as much pull politically (if they want it) and even more power when the jointly hire lobbyists and trade groups....and file lawsuits.

Straw man attempt failure! FOCUS is not anti-neighborhood schools. People with axes to grind because they didn't get admission to their choice charter always beleaguer this fake point. FOCUS is there to help charters whose mission it is to serve children get off the ground. DCPS has undermined itself for years, with the WTU at the helm, and they resent the fact that child-centered groups aren't just going to bend over. As a charter parent, my child deserves (as do all children) a top notch education. I can't let his education fall through the cracks because our neighborhood school is terrible. It brakes my heart that any child would be sent there and many are. I'm grateful for the public option- a fantastic charter. At any point DCPS can get off it's ass and pull it all together. I've been here for 20 years and have seen lots of malarkey from them and nothing more. It's not okay. Charters stood up to that. Don't blame charters for being a part of the solution. Blame DCPS for its disgraceful inadequacies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any equivalents for neighborhood, public schools to something like the Center for Education Reform that is pro-charter?

DC Government agencies, the Office of the Mayor, and the Washington Teachers Union are the most active pro-neighborhood schools organizations.

[Anonymous]

It should be DCPS, but they actually seen to be anti-neighborhood schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It should be DCPS, but they actually seen to be anti-neighborhood schools.

Ha! This. Remember ya'll Kaya thinks "charter schools do middle school really well. We might just leave it to them." With a Chancellor with an attitude like that and a kid headed to MS I'm forced to agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any equivalents for neighborhood, public schools to something like the Center for Education Reform that is pro-charter?

DC Government agencies, the Office of the Mayor, and the Washington Teachers Union are the most active pro-neighborhood schools organizations.

That's the saddest thing I've read in a long time.

[Anonymous]

Isn't FOCUS the group that opposes Grosso's bill to prevent expulsions of 3 and 4 year olds?