THE FLIGHT TO CHARTER SCHOOLS Their Threat to Public Education Is Real

As recently as a few decades ago, parents using the public school system had little choice where to send their children to school.

The rise of charter schools changed the education marketplace and provided new options, even for parents without the means or desire to send their students to private schools.

"Charters add more options and different models of schools to the system, which usually gives parents more choice," former staffing director at Boston Public Schools James Bacon, who is now director of outreach and operations at the education technology firm Edficiency, wrote in an email "In many ways, the biggest pros and cons of charter schools stem from the same fact: That in most cases, charter schools are given more freedom than traditional public schools."

The Difference Between Charter and Public Charter schools are publicly-funded, tuitionfree schools, but they differ from traditional public schools in key ways. Comparing charter

By Jacob Fischler from USNews.com October 19, 2021

schools to public schools requires weighing a few different considerations

First, charters have more flexibility Rather than being part of a public school district, which dictates curriculum and standards in all schools, charters operate autonomously through individual agreements, or charters, with state or local governments that dictate rules and performance standards

Given the ability to operate through these agreements, individual charter schools can tailor their curriculum, academic focus, discipline policy and other matters generally decided at the school district or state board level. In return for that flexibility, charter schools are supposed to be more accountable to parents and the state or local governments that authorize them.

"The flexibility that charter schools are afforded in our system means that they try different things," says Frank Adamson, an assistant professor of education leadership and policy studies at California State University Sacramento who has studied charter school performance.

Some schools may focus on arts or theater Others prioritize ecology and sustainability or racial and social justice.

"Some of those approaches are more tailored toward what I consider to be the highest quality education, which are student-centered but facilitated by high-quality teachers and less so by a focus on test scores or on an overdependence on technology in the classroom," Adamson says

Charter Schools Are Growing

Charters exist in 44 states and the District of Columbia, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, an advocacy group, and they have become a more popular choice in recent years.

Enrollment has more than doubled, from 1.6 million in the fall of 2009 to 3 3 million in the fall of 2018, the last year for which data is available from the National Center for Education Statistics In that time, charter students went from 3% of all public school students to 7%.

A 2019 U.S. Department of Education study found that there was no meaningful difference between the eighth graders in charter schools and public schools when it came to math or English proficiency, as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often called "the nation’s report card "

Charter Schools and Equity

The charter school movement, which gained prominence in the late 1980s and has been gaining ground ever since, began as a way to close the achievement gap between white and non-white students Many charters still view that as a core mission

But many of the same problems that plague traditional public schools are found in charters as well New Orleans, where nearly all public schools became charters after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, still deals with the stratification of students and a pernicious racial achievement gap, says Adamson, who has studied the impact of charter schools in New Orleans

Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes, often called CREDO, studies charter schools extensively and what its researchers have found reflects the promise and limits of charter schools. For instance, a 2020 CREDO study in Washington state found that "in both reading and math, four out of nine or 44% of charters … do not differ significantly from the traditional public school option "

One area where charter schools students did show positive growth in reading and math compared to their counterparts in traditional public schools was among students whose native language is not English.

Still, even though charter schools are often promoted as a gateway to educational equity for poor and minority students, research suggests they are neither the panacea that supporters claim nor the problem that critics charge, despite passionate arguments on both sides.

"Though they do not consistently find benefits to students in district schools, they rarely find the harm predicted on the basis of districts’ overall funding and costs," Paul T. Hill, a research professor at the University of Washington and founder of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, wrote for the Brookings Institution

Getting Into a Charter School

The schools are tuition-free and generally do not require the entrance exams, interviews or auditions that often come with private school admission But that doesn’t mean they’re easy to get into

Many high-performing charters draw large numbers of applications, and some use a blind lottery to determine which students can enroll Even getting a place in such a lottery can require planning.

Charters may set a deadline for applications in November, months before classes start, Adamson says Also, how these lotteries work can differ by locale, with some areas giving advantage to families who meet certain criteria Education experts recommend that parents do research into the charter, visit the school and compare it carefully to the public-school alternative Look beyond test scores and talk to educators who work at the school and parents who send their children there

"In my experience, parents should know what matters most to them, and then ask for quantitative and qualitative data around those points if they cannot find it online," says Bacon, who serves on the school board near his home in Wisconsin.

Quantitative data includes test scores, graduation rates, college attendance rates and similar metrics, he says. Qualitative information could include surveys that measure student and family satisfaction, the type of curriculum they use, their beliefs and their policy on discipline

Charters and Test Scores

Both charter schools and public schools depend on test scores to show their value. Federal law has pushed traditional public schools to focus on testing, but the competitive model of charters means "they live or die on their test scores," Adamson says

While the pandemic has disrupted testing at both charter and public schools around the country, experts say that assessment is likely to play an important role in the systems that emerge

Charters are schools of choice, meaning that parents choose to send their children In order to attract those students, and thus continued support, charter schools are incentivized to achieve high test scores as a way to show their quality

"I think the argument could be made that their accountability metrics are often tied heavily to these scores and required for them to have their charter renewed, with the threat of the school being shut down if they don’t perform," Bacon says. "So it’s certainly something to be mindful about when exploring a charter school option."

How To Get Into A Magnet School

Many parents looking at high school educational options are likely to encounter a magnet school, whether it is focused on science, the arts, public service or even more specialized interests.

“Magnet schools have been a springboard for success for so many students,” says Todd Mann, executive director of Magnet Schools of America, a professional association that supports magnet schools.

Magnet schools were born of the civil rights movement as a way to eliminate school segregation. They are part of public school districts, or sometimes a collaboration between more than one district, and are run by public school administrators. Unlike traditional public schools, they often have a focus, like arts or science, and draw students from outside the usual neighborhood boundaries.

About 3.5 million children attend magnet schools –roughly one of every 15 students in public schools –and there are about 4,340 magnet schools across the country, according to Magnet Schools of America. California, Florida, New York, Illinois, North Carolina and Texas all are states where magnet programs are strong.

Choosing a Magnet School Magnet schools offer an increasing number of specializations. For example, the Connecticut River Academy in Connecticut is a high school focusing on advanced manufacturing and environmental science. At the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas, every student participates in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program. Education experts say parents need to do research to determine whether a magnet school is a solid fit.

“Seek information often and early,” says Casey Cobb, a professor at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut, who researches magnet school policies.

Laurie Kopp Weingarten, a certified educational planner and independent educational consultant in New Jersey, says magnet schools have pros and cons.

“For students who know what they want to study, they can start exploring at a younger age,” she wrote in an email. “That can help them learn if they truly are interested in the field that the magnet school focuses on. They also receive, in many cases, a private school education equivalent at a public school cost.”

The danger, she says, is that students are asked to make a decision in eighth grade, and a four-year commitment can be a lot for someone just entering their teens.

“Often these students realize after a few years that the subject of the magnet school doesn’t align with their interests and talents,” Weingarten says. “At that point, they either have to remain in the high school, studying classes that don’t interest them, or they need to return to their home high school in the middle of their school years. Neither option is optimal.” There are also many considerations beyond academics. Magnet schools can involve longer commutes, and not all provide transportation. That can add to a family’s logistical challenges and costs. Some smaller schools have fewer offerings in terms of sports and other activities. A magnet school can also mean friends are spread out geographically, giving children fewer peers in their own neighborhoods.

Applying to a Magnet School

Magnet schools that have too many applicants sometimes use lotteries for admission. Schools in extremely high demand often have grade requirements and use standardized tests. Some go even further. For example, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia, rated one of the top high schools in America, includes a problem-solving essay as part of the application. Schools that focus on performing arts, such as Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., can require an audition or portfolio review.

“Families should gather as much information as they can about admissions,” Weingarten says. “Most high schools are transparent about how the process works. It can usually be found on their website. … They can then try to prep their student for the test, essay, interview, etc. And, of course, students need to earn high grades in middle school.”

Parents will want to help their children prepare. For example, if the school requires an interview, parents can set up mock interviews with a family member. Asking other families who have been through an interview process can help kids understand what to expect, Cobb says.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has caused schools in many locales to question their testing policies, admissions tests are still common. Parents can help students improve their scores by practicing for the test in much the same way that college applicants practice for the SAT or ACT. Books and classes are available to get students ready for most standardized tests.

Weingarten says tests can weigh heavily on admissions in some areas. “In Monmouth County, New Jersey, where I reside, it’s a whopping 70% of the decision,” she says. “The other 30% is grades in seventh and eighth grade. There are no other criteria.”

Understanding Admission Lotteries

School districts often use lotteries to decide who gets into magnet schools, but the systems are not always completely random. Students in some locales get extra points in the lottery for a variety of factors. Los Angeles, for example, gives students extra credit in the lottery for having a sibling at the magnet school, having been on the waitlist the previous year and for coming from a school with overcrowding.

Families in districts with many magnet schools can sometimes list several top choices to improve the chances of getting into one. Often, a lottery drawing will fall short of an admission but will result in placement on a waitlist. A high placement on that list can sometimes result in an admission if students who were admitted in the first round choose not to go.

Whether admission is by lottery or other means, education experts say magnet schools offer benefits that can make the application process worth it. Magnet Schools of America reports that 90% of students graduate at magnate high schools and that 72% go to college.

“A magnet school can offer an advantage because the students are bright … so the classes are demanding and may be more rigorous than normal honors classes,” Weingarten says. “In addition, the school is much smaller than the normal public high school. Students benefit from individualized attention and guidance.”

By Tamara Lytle, USNews.com September 21, 2021

25 BEST CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE U.S.*

BASISScottsdale,Scottsdale,AZ

RaleighCharterHighSchool,Raleigh,NC

BASISTucsonNorth,Tucson,AZ

BASISPhoenix,Phoenix,AZ

BASISOroValley, OroValley,AZ

OrangeCountySchooloftheArts,SantaAna,CA

BASISPeoria,Peoria,IL

BASISMesa,Mesa,AZ

BASISChandler,Chandler,AZ

BASISAhwatukee,Phoenix,AZ

SignatureSchool,Evansville,IN

TheCharterSchoolofWilmington, Wilmington,DE

BenjaminFranklinHighSchool,NewOrleans,LA

BASISFlagstaff,Flagstaff,AZ

TempePreparatoryAcademy,Tempre,AZ

GreatHeartsAcademies-ChandlerPrep,Chandler,AZ

UniversityHighSchool,Fresno,CA

AcademyforScience&DesignHighSchool,NH

OrlandoScienceMiddle/HighCharterSchool,FL

CaliforniaSchooloftheArts-SanGabrielValley, Duarte,CA

UniversityPreparatoryAcademyCharterSchool,San Jose,CA

WaltonHighSchool,CobbCountySchools,GA

StargateCharterSchool,Adams12FiveStarSchools, CO

Math&ScienceAcademy, Woodbury,MN

AdvancedMath&ScienceAcademyCharterSchool. Marlborough,MA

*AllschoolshaveanA+gradefromniche com

Drafted by the San Antonio (Texas) Spurs for the 2023-24 season, Wembanyama, a 7-foot-5 French phenom with an 8-foot wingspan, walked across the stage at the Barclays Center in New York to shake NBA commissioner Adam Silver's hand and formally mark the start of his new career.

"I can't really describe it," the 19-year-old told reporters following the pick. "One of the best feelings of my life. Probably the best night of my life. I've been dreaming about this for so long. It's a dream come true. It's incredible."

Wembanyama is considered by many to be a generational talent - a player who can defend and play above the rim but move with such fluidity that he can also hit step-back 3-pointers off one leg.

When the Spurs won the right to draft Wembanyama by winning the lottery on May 16, Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt leaped with joy from his seat on stage inside Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich credited Wembanyama's parents for how they have raised him to handle the immense amount of pressure that has been put on him.

"He's got a great disposition, a good combination of intellectual ability, and an emotional intelligence at the same time," Popovich said. "He understands what hype is. He understands all the attention he's getting, but he still welcomes it, deals with it. ... So I think he understands that there's a way to handle that responsibility and still let people feel somewhat close to him. So he doesn't need a lot of advice in that area."

Team Background

Under Popovich, the Spurs made 22 consecutive trips to the playoffs from 1998 to 2019, which is tied for the longest such streak in NBA history (matching the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers streak from 1950 to 1971).

The past four seasons, however, the team hasn't managed to finish over .500, going 32-39, 33-39, 3448 and then 22-60 last season. Bottoming out during the 2022-23 season, however, gave the Spurs a 14.0% chance of hitting the No. 1 pick.

Back Story

Wembanyama has some seriously athletic genes. His father is a former long jumper, and his mother played basketball growing up. His sister, meanwhile, won a gold medal for France during the 2017 U16 World Basketball Championship.

Wembanyama is fresh off two consecutive Best Young Player awards in the French LNB Pro A, and he signed a two-year deal with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 in Paris earlier this summer. Born in Nanterre, France, just outside of the French capital, the hometown kid has certainly attracted fans far and wide — Wembanyama has been playing high-level basketball around Europe since his 10th birthday.

He grew up playing basketball under the watchful eye of his mother. As an early teen, he was playing for FC Barcelona’s youth team. Like other European prospects, Wembanyama has spent his teenage years playing alongside grown men in the EuroCup and beyond.

Wembanyama spent time playing goalie as a soccer player. He was an accomplished track star and practiced judo for a short time. His mother, a youth basketball coach, steered him toward hoops.

Victor Revives The Skyhook

Prospects

The history of hyper-tall NBA players is a checkered one. He’ll need to be mindful of building out his frame and working to avoid injury. Players of his height are generally more injury prone. Kristaps Porzingis has a similar build, and he’s had several major health issues in his career.

Still, Wembanyama’s defensive potential is hard to ignore. He can close on an opponent’s shot with frightening speed, and his instincts are already incredibly sharp. Years of goalkeeping and martial arts might be the perfect complement to becoming a force on defense.

Wembanyama's debut at the Las Vegas (Nevada) Summer League in July drew sellout crowds. Despite a shaky and unconvincing start in the first game, he rebounded in the second game, erupting for 27 points and 12 rebounds (along with three blocks and a steal). Any worries about Wembanyama’s NBA future are, at this point, unfounded. And if the buzz in Vegas was any indication, San Antonians are in for their most electric opening night in a generation.

FromVariousNewsSources

Victor Wembanyama is working on one of the greatest moves in NBA history.

"I've been working a little bit on my skyhook," Wembanyama said. "You know, the Kareem skyhook. Hopefully, someday that can be a weapon to add."

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (whom Wembanyama has taken on as a consultant) made the skyhook famous. It played a big role in him being the NBA's all-time leading scorer for nearly four decades. It is widely considered to be one of the best moves of all time, and yet, for reasons of style, technique and difficulty, it's not something that has been passed down from generation to generation. We'll see if Victor can change all that.