Michigan researcher keeps tabs on charter school companies

[Starry Messenger]

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/content/michigan-researcher-keeps-tabs-charter-school-companies

In 1997, Miron and his research team began canvassing Michigan -- and eventually the nation -- to gather data. Even at that time, they discovered, more than half of the state's charter schools were being run by outside management firms.

"The state (education) agency had no idea about EMOs,” he said.

These days, plenty of people have heard of outfits like Edison Learning, Charter Schools USA, and Imagine. But Miron continues to gather his data, attend school board meetings, and shine a light at the junction where public education meets private industry.

<snip>

And then there's the data. Last month, the investigative journalism group ProPublica reported that less than half of for-profit management companies' charters make adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law, compared to 63 percent for all charters and 67 percent for traditional public schools.

[madfloridian]

1. Not very good percentages.

Public schools would be criticized for those scores.

Wonder what their attrition rates are as well.

Here's an interesting article about the Leona group in Ohio. Still looking for attrition rates.

http://charterschoolscandals.blogspot.com/2011/02/paul-laurence-dunbar-academy.html

"The Leona Group, a Phoenix-based for-profit charter school management company, has evaded Ohio law by opening a new school to replace a school closed by the state at the end of the 2009-10 school year for poor academic performance.

Paul Laurence Dunbar Academy, a K-8 school located at 3248 Warsaw St. in Toledo and operated by the Leona Group, appeared on the state’s closure list and was required to close by June 2010. But by July 2, 2010, the Leona Group had taken steps to open a new school, Northpointe Academy, at the same address with the same phone number and much of the same staff. Leona operates nine schools in Ohio, according to its web site. (www.leonagroup.com)

These staff lists show that Andre Fox served as Dunbar principal and continues to serve in that capacity at Northpointe, according to the staff lists; all but four of the teaching staff listed for Northpointe also appeared on the Dunbar list from last year.

As of February 1, 2011, Northpointe Academy enrolled more than 270 students and had collected more than $2 million in state money for the 2010-11 school year, according to state records. The Toledo-based Ohio Council of Community Schools was Dunbar’s sponsor and serves as Northpointe’s sponsor as well. In Ohio, charter school sponsors are responsible for authorizing new schools and monitoring them once they are open."

[Starry Messenger]

2. Veeerry interesting, thank you for that madflordian.

You are quite correct, these schools would be vilified if they were public schools. They would be subject to vile attacks in the media.

Also (not that we needed any proof) this definitely puts the lie to the statement that these schools would be subject to regulation in the "education marketplace" if they failed to compete. They are not being closed if they fail, they are being protected and propped up.

[snot]

3. K&R'd

[Brickbat]

4. K&R for some important shit.

[Starry Messenger]

6. Thank you! n/t

[Scuba]

5. When our public institutions are broken, we should fix them, not turn them over ...

...to corrupt capitalists.


Death to charter schools.

[Starry Messenger]

7. Tha nature of capitalism is to seek profits.

The wealthy are the wealthiest they have ever been, and the options for putting capital into action are shrinking. The creation of an "education industry" to invest in was a natural evolution. We may not win this war, but there is no honor in going down without a fight. At least they will know we noticed.

[buddysmellgood]

8. And I'll bet the teachers are not paid as well.

[Starry Messenger]

10. I think it depends.

I've seen some high salaries quoted, because part of the theory behind this is paying high prices to attract "talent" to the schools. The teachers are often expected to be available after school hours by cell phone though, so I'm not sure how that breaks out.

[LooseWilly]

9. k&r

[Reader Rabbit]

11. K&R for the afternoon crowd.

I wish progressives would get behind public school teachers.

[Starry Messenger]

12. Thank you for suggesting the OP RR.