Kentucky Deserves More Quality Options in Public Education
By Charity Edmonston
Education Commissioner Terry Holliday said that he believes that the reason why Kentucky lost an opportunity to receive millions of dollars through the second round of the Race to the Top grant is a lack of charter schools, which aren’t permitted under state law. Despite the efforts of parents, community members, and Legislators who advocated for a charter law, the legislature adjourned last Spring without passing a bill that would allow for charter schools. A charter bill passed the Senate, but was not considered by the House. Earlier this month, Kentucky lawmakers met to discuss public charter schools at an Interim Joint Education Committee meeting in Frankfort. The room was stacked with voices who continue to defend the status quo, including the Kentucky Education Association. It was clear from the teachers union’s testimony that public school-choice opponents desperately want to keep public charter schools out of the Blue Grass State. However, Legislators heard the voices of charter advocates letting them know it’s time to vote for choice, quality, and accountability by allowing the establishment of public charter schools.
Kentucky is one of just 10 states across the nation that does not have laws allowing for quality public charter schools. The lack of public school options for our state’s children should no longer be ignored. Public charter schools – independent, innovative public schools that are held accountable for improved student achievement – are a choice that has been made by most of the nation, and there is more than enough data to show they are working. Nationally, over 5,000 public charter schools are currently educating more than 1.5 million students.
Quality public charter schools operate as autonomous public schools, allowing them to be innovative in their curriculum, teaching methods, and even scheduling. A charter school’s flexibility allows it to create a positive school culture by emphasizing high expectations and academic rigor. And while charter schools have many freedoms to be innovative, they are held accountable for improved student achievement – if they don’t make their set goals, they can be shut down.
Public charter schools are proving successful in rural areas too – in fact, 15% of charters are located in rural areas, meeting the unique needs of these communities. One example is Paisley School, a public charter school located in rural Oregon that opened its doors in 2001. They serve 350 K-12 students, operate a radio station, maintain 15 cattle, house a rainbow trout program and boast a 90% graduation rate.
According to the Kentucky Department of Education’s Core Content Test, a majority of our students are not academically successful. In fact, only 41 percent of all Kentucky public high-school students are proficient in math – less than half! In addition, more than 70 percent of high-school students who are minority or come from low-income homes are failing in math, science, social studies and writing. The need for education reform is becoming more critical as each year passes and our students receive less than what they deserve for their futures. Kentucky failed to receive Race to the Top funding because we do not have a charter school law. Considering the difficulty in education in Kentucky, shouldn’t Charter schools be made available to children in Kentucky? Kentucky lawmakers need to honestly examine the way we are currently educating our next generation and start looking at quality education reform options like public charter schools that will better prepare them for college and beyond.
PIKE; Parents for Improving Kentucky Education
Charity Edmonston is a former teacher of children with learning differences, mother of two, and member of Parents for Improving Kentucky Education.
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