March 9th 2010, Minneapolis (MN)—What is the difference between a charter school and a charter-like school?
That seems to be the topic of discussion among edu-wonks and poli-wags as a “self-governed school” was approved in Minnesota Tuesday night.
This is the first school approved under the new Minnesota “self-governed” school law, under which teachers can spearhead school creations. “Self-governed” schools are charter-like in some ways, permitting teachers more freedom to innovate, select their own curriculum, and make many decisions at school level over needing district approval each time.
The French-immersion elementary school, which is scheduled to open 2011, is confirmed to not only have been initiated by teachers, but the school will be run by teachers.
Minnesota School Board Member Lydia Lee stated:
"Teachers want to be part of the solution. This is a classic example of teachers coming forward and saying, 'This is what we can do.' So, let's do it."
However, true charter schools still enjoy additional freedom that even charter-like schools are permitted.
For instance, charter schools control and manage their own budget. Charter-like schools do not. Charter schools can hire highly qualified teachers with or without union affiliation. Charter-like schools cannot.
It seems in several aspects that self-governed schools are more magnet-like (school district operated option schools) than charter schools (autonomous public schools of innovation).
Self-governing schools , who do not completely control their own money or hiring pool, do not need to answer to the same strenuous accountability system that charter’s do.
Self-governing schools, just like charters, operate under a term contract (3-years in the case of the French Immersion School). But a charter school stands to lose its contract renewal if not performing as an academic institution or fiscally irresponsible. A self-governing school is likely only to lose its privileges if not performing in academic standards. Whether or not necessary school closings are going to be more difficult with the involvement of the teachers union is another question in the self-governing school debate.
Interestingly enough the charter school movement coincidentally originated in Minnesota.
Much with the support from none other than teacher’s union icon Al Shanker (American Federation of Teachers) charter school law sprung onto the scene in the 1990’s. Shankers vision was that charters were a venue for teachers to spur new innovative school creation.
The Shanker-charter school-honeymoon was short lived. Few charter schools were actually started by teachers, who often prefer to teach over run school operations. Even fewer charter schools invited the local union into their school’s ecosystem.
Since charter schools offer the same freedoms for innovation plus some, and can be started by teachers: Is the self-governing school concept reinventing the wheel?
Perhaps we should permit all of our public schools to be more charter-like with more parental and teacher led involvement, fewer regulations, additional decision making power and accountability?
Crazy thought.
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