Charter Schools: Separate and Unequal?

The article “Both Sides Square Off at Hearing on Charter School” describes a current lawsuit in New York City regarding school locations. The United Federation of teachers challenges the NYC Department of Education’s efforts to close 22 existing schools and to use the space for these schools for 18 charter schools. As the article explains, the hearing addresses two issues that continue to exist in the battle for education reform: school closing and the opening and expansion of charter schools. The charter schools depend on these locations for survival.

Generally, those against the charter schools, the union, parents and the N.A.A.C.P. argue that closing local public schools endangers the education of students who remain in the traditional school system, and could lead schools to become “separate and unequal”. They cite examples of ways children in traditional schools have been negatively affected by charter schools, including an example of students who had to use bathrooms that were not on the same floor as their classrooms to accommodate the charter school in their building. Those in favor of the charter schools, including the city, argue that they are simply trying to “get as many students as possible educated with a quality education”.

In many ways, this article was extremely empowering. Watching parents, teachers, community organizations and the government engaged in a debate over education reform demonstrates that people truly believe that this is a battle worth fighting for; that the future of education is important for communities and cities. Active involvement of parents, in addition to teachers and city officials, demonstrates that reforms are being questioned and even challenged, which to me is a positive aspect of the education debate.

However, this article combined with my recent exposure to these kinds of situations (closing existing schools to make room for charters) in the documentary, “The Lottery”, has made me think deeper about the charter school model. It has been so easy for me to see charter schools as one of the key solutions to the problem because the model charter schools, most of the ones we hear about, are successful, efficient, well-lead and generally, a positive experience for the students they serve. Who doesn’t want these opportunities for their child and their student? Furthermore, there is no doubt that charter schools have changed the course of urban education. They have proven to many people that urban schools can be successful and even more importantly, that urban students can achieve.

However, does this mean that charter schools are always the answer? Or even, an aspect of an ideal education system? Should we really have a system in which entry into a lottery determines your education? Is this even fair? What about students who don’t have the parents who know enter them in the lottery at age 5? I was struck by the implications of the statement the challenging lawyer in this case made which suggested that charter schools might be making education “separate and unequal”. This is a hefty charge, but also a striking statement. Aren’t charter schools supposed to be making education more equal? And if they are not, what do we do about it?

Article: "Both Sides Square Off at Hearing on Charter Schools"

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/nyregion/both-sides-square-off-at-hearing-on-charter-school-suit.html?_r=1&ref=education