So, the N&O wants to talk charter schools. Fine. Let’s get on with it.
The editorial staff is right that charter schools that are not performing well need to improve quickly or close. The same is true for all public schools, district and charter alike.
After all, if we agree with the N&O that “scores are scores,” then let’s get the pink slips ready. Over the past six years, high schools like Southeast Halifax High School, Northampton High?West, and Hertford County High School (just to name a few) have had (composite) pass rates on state tests under 50 percent. In other words, less than half the students pass state tests year after year after year after year after year after year.
So, the N&O has a general principle that is correct. “If too many kids aren’t making the grade, neither are the schools of which they’re a part, and no one is doing those students a favor to try to keep an under-performing school open.” We just shouldn’t apply that principle selectively.
As for the diversity issue, the N&O ignores a statutory conflict that ties the hands of charter schools. Charter schools are required to reflect the racial composition of the district but are also required to randomly select students for vacant seats. The latter will never achieve the former.
Finally, what does it mean to “reflect the spirit of public education?” Really.
(I won’t address the many flaws in the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research charter school study mentioned in the editorial here, but I have done so here. Read this report instead.)
