[tips] Re: Spellings Releases Plan for Higher Ed

[Michael Scoles]

The studies on which this criticism (and some others) is based come from cross-sectional research.  That is, at this point in time, how do 5th-graders in charter schools perform compared to traditional public schools?   As schools of choice, charter schools are attractive to parents who do not see traditional public schools as serving their children.  Students that are succeeding in traditional public schools tend to stay there. Charter schools often serve students who, for various reasons, are not as prepared for an academic environment.   The trend in assessment/accountability now is to move towards longitudinal assessment, so that the gains made by individual children can be assessed and compared across different types of educational programs.   I'm not sure what "constraints" Christopher is talking about.  As public schools, charter schools generally have to meet the same reporting requirements as traditional schools.  It is hard to put contraints on basic curriculum requirements under those conditions.  The flexibility comes in methods.   >>> "Christopher D. Green" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 9/26/2006 2:17 PM >>> Yes, especially considering that charter school do not increase students' academic performance: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/education/july-dec04/charter_8-18.html (but do enhance the ability of parents to strongly constrain the kinds of intellectual materials to which their children are exposed). --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english