This is a big topic that will likely blow up soon. I imagine that he is aware of the things that are brewing and wants to be part of it. I typically find his work to be quite fair, but for that to happen he would need to hear the good, the bad and the turn-around stories.

Turque is one of the best reporters at the Post. Far from striving to please his "paymasters", he is more likely to piss them off. He has actually criticized the Post editorial board (and suffered having his article butchered in response). If you have been following the charter school debate, you will know that one of the most frequent criticisms of charter schools is that they either don't enroll or get rid of challenging students. Special ed students are a prominent example of challenging students. Turque is likely seeking to show whether this criticism is justified or not. I happen to believe (on the basis of nothing more than anecdotal evidence) that some schools do act in this manner. However, I also know of charters that do a great job with students that have IEPs. I will look forward to Bill's findings on this topic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:12:59, I do not understand your attitude. the guy is looking for people like you. why so defensive? talk about your goods experience. if every person who had a good experience behaves like you, obviously the article will reflect that most of the people who contacted the Post did not have a great experience.

"I’m especially interested in speaking to families who feel they’ve been discouraged from enrolling or “counseled out.”"

Maye he's only heard from happy parents so far and wants to make sure he isn't missing the full story. That would be a sign of good reporting.

Also keep in mind that he's not stupid -- he wouldn't put a request like that on his WaPo blog just to make himself look like a biased reporter.

Anonymous wrote:12:59, I do not understand your attitude. the guy is looking for people like you. why so defensive? talk about your goods experience. if every person who had a good experience behaves like you, obviously the article will reflect that most of the people who contacted the Post did not have a great experience.

"I’m especially interested in speaking to families who feel they’ve been discouraged from enrolling or “counseled out.”"

Given the Washington Post board attitude about DCPS and charter schools, the more likely headline is "Charter schools Special Ed services far surpass DCPS schools". So go on, give Bill a call and give him the stuff that will make his paymasters ever so happy.

Anonymous wrote:Turque's MO on other stories has been to reach a conclusion first and then find the facts. And no, 13:02, he's not a good reporter.

I think you have him confused with Jay Matthews. I've always found his work to be extremely fair.

The Washington Post and Turque's number one goal is subscribers/viewers/hits. What story gets more hits?

(1) Charters Push Special Ed Students Out

OR

(2) Charters & Special Ed Students Have Complicated Relationship


Dog bites man or man bites dog . . .

I have worked with Bill on a couple stories relating to parent experiences with DCPS. I found him quite fair, thorough and professional.

Turque's MO on other stories has been to reach a conclusion first and then find the facts. And no, 13:02, he's not a good reporter.

12:59, I do not understand your attitude. the guy is looking for people like you. why so defensive? talk about your goods experience. if every person who had a good experience behaves like you, obviously the article will reflect that most of the people who contacted the Post did not have a great experience.

You should contact him, PP! If he's a good rePorter he should be listening to all he learns.

12:44, if your child as an IEP and goes to a charter school and has a good experience, contact the journalist and talk about it. it seems to me that he is looking for parents with good and bad experiences, no need for translation.

We had a wonderful experience at LAMB PCS on an IEP-- great spec ed coordinator there and the school supports special ed really well. They even have a parent support group for parents of spec ed kids that meets once a month.

But then, no, that would be a positive story about charters and special ed so it probably wouldn't fit the intent of the article.

Translation: this story will be about how terrible charter schools are to special needs kids.

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.