To the editor:
In the book, "Horace's Compromise," Ted Sizer describes the need for school reform and the tenacity of schools to resist any reform.¬ He states, "School is as school was."
Twenty years after Sizer wrote this, we as a nation still struggle to reform our schools.¬ As a nation, we still struggle to provide every child the education they deserve.
My interest in bringing a charter school to Gloucester comes from my support for understanding of the educational reform movement, out of which charter schools are born, and my drive to put Gloucester at the forefront of this movement.¬ It is a movement supported by President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
The charter school movement provides a new educational approach to learning. It has its own governance devoid of local politics and autonomy to create a plethora of methodologies that are uniquely designed to fit specific communities.¬ In their wisdom, the department of education recognizes that there is no one model of education that makes all children successful.¬ If there were, then we, as a nation, would not be in the educational crisis that we find ourselves in.¬ Instead, the Department of Education allows communities to create alternative forms of education to allow educational reform to flourish.
As I studied the charter school movement and understood the barriers facing district school systems, particularly around the achievement gap, I began to see Gloucester as the perfect community to embrace a charter school.
Gloucester has traditionally performed well below our surrounding towns on standardized tests despite gallant efforts from the district as well as the community. Gloucester has numerous organizations that support the district such as the School Connection, the Education Foundation, Stand for Children, and One Gloucester to name a few still, Gloucester struggles to achieve its goal of making every child successful.
This is not uncommon for many district schools.¬ A recent report by MassINC reports that while students overall are improving in Massachusetts, the achievement gap persists.¬ The report suggests that alternative methods of education are needed to close the gap as opposed to just spending more money on education.
When I went to visit charter schools, I found new methodologies that appeared (by test scores) to help students who have traditionally not performed well on standardized tests.¬ Charter schools were providing an alternative education that helped many students find their way.¬ In addition, in Boston, the charter school movement sparked the growth of pilot schools, alternative schools within the district.¬ Seeing ways in which the charter school movement has helped may children and communities, it makes sense to support a charter school in Gloucester.
Is a charter school an elite school?¬ In fact, it is the opposite.¬ As evidenced by many researchers, the current system does not adequately address students of lower socioeconomic status.¬ Charter schools have proven to help alleviate the achievement gap at a higher rate than district schools.¬ Furthermore, the current system allows those that are not satisfied with the current system to go to private school or choice out.
Both require resources.¬ Private schools are expensive and choicing requires families to be able to drop off and pick up their child.¬ A charter school¬ allows children in based on a lottery providing an alternative to any child in Gloucester despite economic status.
I have heard rumors that the founders and board members will get their children into the charter bypassing the lottery. This is illegal. The charter school offers a fair and equitable opportunity for education for all Gloucester students.¬
I support the charter school because I believe that every child deserve a quality education.¬ I am not so naÃØve as to assume that starting a charter school will not be controversial and without heartache and disruption.¬ There will be both.
However, I also believe the need for educational reform is clear.¬ We know from current research that, to give every child an equal chance, we must embrace new reform efforts such as the charter school.¬ Doing so allows those that are struggling and believe they could be more successful an opportunity to experience a different educational model.
I agree with Jane Cunningham that residents of Gloucester should inform themselves of the issues.¬ Jane suggests going to School Committee meetings. I suggest that people also go to the Gloucester Charter School Web site www.gcacharterschool.com.
Contact us to ask your specific questions or go to a local coffee to ask your questions in person and listen to others.¬ Get involved and get informed.¬ Support reform in Gloucester.
¬ ¬ Amy Ballin
Englewood Road, Gloucester
