I met Patsy almost twenty years ago, when I was just out of college, and I was in awe of her then. I remain that way... she was a humble woman of tremendous grace. Requiescat in pace, Patsy.
Frankly, I believe that the EOGs should be banned from all schools altogether. The point of my editorial, though, was that if we want charter schools to be innovative, then it makes no sense to hold them accountable with a measure that is anything but. I wrote a column last spring that actually called for the state to hold charters "more" accountable - or rather, to develop a model of accountability that was more authentic than standardized testing. Since there are only 100 charter schools in the state, this is very doable. Of course, even more ideal would be a licensing agency not at all under the umbrella of DPI, perhaps a board composed of university academics, classroom teachers, and leaders of innovation from various walks of life... a body that would be better able to determine whether charter schools provide the kind of preparation necessary for real leadership and success in life. While this has been proposed in theory under the charter school bill, the fact that the Superintendent of Public Instruction is meant to sit on this board again belies the "we will make charter schools more like regular schools" agenda. To have the regular public school authorities oversee schools that are meant to be different simply makes no sense.
All summer, questions have been asked about my lack of public comment on this matter. Today I can say that I am very pleased the board reached resolution, and we can move forward to address the important issues facing our school. We do have issues to address, as any school does... but I can assure our school community and the public at large that the good our school does for children far outweighs any concerns. We have already taken definitive steps to strengthen our program, and we are confident that, as attorney Steven McCallister said in this article, a "collaborative spirit" will endure, and our best days are ahead of us.
Sue Kemple, Principal
skemple 1 year, 8 months ago
Bonsal Remembered as 'Special Lady'
I met Patsy almost twenty years ago, when I was just out of college, and I was in awe of her then. I remain that way... she was a humble woman of tremendous grace. Requiescat in pace, Patsy.
skemple 2 years ago
Board Opposes Tax Credit Measure on Private Schools
Really? This information would only be newsworthy if the board voted on a resolution in favor of the tax credit.
skemple 2 years, 2 months ago
The Charter School Coin Has Two Sides
Frankly, I believe that the EOGs should be banned from all schools altogether. The point of my editorial, though, was that if we want charter schools to be innovative, then it makes no sense to hold them accountable with a measure that is anything but. I wrote a column last spring that actually called for the state to hold charters "more" accountable - or rather, to develop a model of accountability that was more authentic than standardized testing. Since there are only 100 charter schools in the state, this is very doable. Of course, even more ideal would be a licensing agency not at all under the umbrella of DPI, perhaps a board composed of university academics, classroom teachers, and leaders of innovation from various walks of life... a body that would be better able to determine whether charter schools provide the kind of preparation necessary for real leadership and success in life. While this has been proposed in theory under the charter school bill, the fact that the Superintendent of Public Instruction is meant to sit on this board again belies the "we will make charter schools more like regular schools" agenda. To have the regular public school authorities oversee schools that are meant to be different simply makes no sense.
skemple 2 years, 9 months ago
Stars Lawsuit Settled
All summer, questions have been asked about my lack of public comment on this matter. Today I can say that I am very pleased the board reached resolution, and we can move forward to address the important issues facing our school. We do have issues to address, as any school does... but I can assure our school community and the public at large that the good our school does for children far outweighs any concerns. We have already taken definitive steps to strengthen our program, and we are confident that, as attorney Steven McCallister said in this article, a "collaborative spirit" will endure, and our best days are ahead of us. Sue Kemple, Principal