https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973 The Ideal School en-us 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC 2026-03-16 23:50:11 UTC hello@padlet.com jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446282 Pilot a K-12 urban charter school program that removes the need to compete for public funds with traditional public schools.

The competition for public funds with traditional public schools for students is acknowledged, but in an ideal world (and this is an ideal school), all schools serving the public are adequately funded and unable to point at funding as a reason for poor performance.  This pilot would be part of a 10-year program whereby public charter schools receive equal per-student funding and resources as traditional public schools.

According to the website educationdata.org, federal, state and local governments spend $14,840 per student to fund K-12 education annually, with state and local governments making up the vast majority of the investments.  Obviously the degree of investment varies on down to the school itself, but it serves at least as a marker of need.  

Charter schools currently compete for public funding yet don't always have the same infrastructure set up for traditional public schools.  In this ideal world there would be no loss to the funding of traditional public school, the amount of funding would not go down if students leave the school ** but ** charter schools, at least in urban areas,  would receive the same amount of per-student funding ** and ** would also be provided a venue, perhaps unused government administrative buildings.   This accomplishes 2 goals -- 1) funding for the traditional schools during the pilot period potentially goes up on a per-student basis if students leave the school, which could even help put the school on the right track if per-student levels of funding were a concern behind any underperformance (fewer students also allows the student-to-faculty ratio to go down), and 2) levels the playing field with urban charter schools having to secure/pay for facilities, so that the school can just focus on its core mission -- educational program and approach.

Charter schools under this scenario would raise eyebrows since there would seem to be a move toward favoring them, but that isn't the case.  Rather, it's a concept that so far has only been tested on 2 cylinders.  The concept needs to be better supported for it to be a fully tested and fair comparison.  The approach would raise costs, and the costs for these urban schools should primarily be state-funded without any negative impact to the cities in which they operate.  States have more pockets in which to choose from, other programs they fund that can be scaled back, and can more easily make urban charter schools a budgeted realty.  

]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446282 jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446284 Leveraging the strength of the urban/public K-12 charter schools.

Many believe in the promise of public education, but perhaps less so in the system supporting it.  Diversity of student distribution can be done by expanding boundaries of a district and is a noble goal, but public charter schools possess a unique opportunity toward similar integration by leveraging a strong curriculum to expand parent/student interest of all demographics beyond immediate neighboring communities -- and in the process, perhaps even making the school more effectively integrated than a traditional public school approach might be.    

One study from 2015, conducted but The Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University showed that, while charter school performance as whole showed little difference over traditional public schools, "students in urban charter schools general perform better than their matched pairs."  One example in the study, Urban charters performed the same in math 33% of the time, worse 24% of the time, *but* better 43% of the time, nearly half!

Since enrollment in charter schools is voluntary, demand may be greater than the number of seats offered -- as we saw in the documentary Waiting for Superman.  It's also possible that such demand is a testament to the impact the school is making, and a lack of supply can be addressed by the addition of more charter schools.  

Another issue could be co-location, which should be addressed either by leveraging only unused classrooms/facilities or finding an alternate location altogether.  In no case should a charter school presence within a traditional public school be a reason resources within that school are harder to access. 

]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446284 jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446285 A focus on core subjects and an inclusive pedagogical approach.

Psychological health is a critical learning component, and the lived experience outside the classroom is brought into the classroom.   A healthy environment such as the school's would leverage social-emotional concepts, allowing the faculty opportunity to connect with the students they're trying to teach.  It's unclear based on all we've seen -- Erin Gruwell comes to mind -- that instructors need to come from the same background or neighborhood in order to build a bond that breaks through emotional guard needed outside the classroom in order to successfully teach.  Rather, it seems what's most important is the drive and dedication, which unfortunately can take a toll on the lives of instructors outside school (as we also saw with Erin, and even Curtis Acosta in Precious Knowledge acknowledged that catching the kids up in 11th and 12th grades would put "tremendous pressure" on himself).   
 
The days and classes would begin and end with acknowledgement -- activities acknowledging the worth of fellow students and faculty.  Greetings, eye contact, handshakes, etc., all would be fostered as core interpersonal communication skills are developed.

The desks would be set up in groups so students learn to work in teams, rather than all being spaced equally apart.   The curriculum would be open to the parents of those attending, allowing insight into what the faculty is teaching and welcome opportunity for any feedback/requested changes.   A primary focus would be placed on the core skills of reading and math, areas that students in inner cities typically underperform in.

]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446285 jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446287 Leverage both grades and standardized tests.

Standardized tests may be discriminatory in structure, and there is correlation between family income and overall test scores, but perhaps reworking them so advantages are removed is better than ridding the system of them totally -- example, tests can be made free, removing a wealthy family's advantage of being able to take the test multiple times, and upping the rigor of curriculum in our ideal school to be just as challenging as those in wealthy communities.

No one is disputing the value GPAs have in evaluating a student's potential.  And students with high GPAs have demonstrated they can test well in courses.  But until all colleges go test-optional schools are potentially doing students a disservice by not preparing them for it.  

Standardized tests in later years of high school may indicate a student's performance ability but throughout grade school they can show where a school needs to improve and perhaps best allow an apples-to-apples comparison when tests are consistent across a state.  

All said, any continuation of reworked standardized tests would depend on an objective/external assessment of neutrality.  

Assessments tied to teaching effectiveness are covered in the Educators post, but connects a teacher's effectiveness to the grades of his/her students, as well as feedback that's provided by the students themselves.  At the end of each academic year results are reviewed with instructors, and if positive, are offered the position for the next academic year. ]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446287 jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446288 Leverage a non-union environment.

One of the major benefits of public charter schools is a greater ability to hold educators to account.  In the traditional teacher-union public schools we've seen in Waiting for Superman that while there is a process to rid a school of a teacher failing at his/her job, it can also be a lengthy process that when layered with tenure perhaps places too much of an administrative burden to replace teachers that public charter schools that aren't unionized don't have to deal with.  Students shouldn't have to wait a year for a failing teacher to be replaced.  Tenure, originally meant to protect professors at colleges and universities may today at the K-12 level be too broadly applied to benefit the students in the schools. 

Given the inclusive pedagogical approach, instructors at the school would have to learn about social emotional learning, perhaps an opportunity for the instructors themselves to grow professional and personally.  If it's a new concept to any on the staff or faculty, consultants who specialize in the field would be leveraged.

Instructors would be evaluated by the class itself, much like colleges and universities which seek feedback from its students at the end of a course, and improvement of grades over the academic term.  Feedback from students would be reviewed with the instructor twice during the academic year -- at the conclusion of fall and spring semesters.  Student grades, with a focus on trend, would be reviewed with the instructor at the end of the academic year, at which point the instructor's position is renewed for another year or the instructor is released.

Accountability is high in the school, and results are critical, but so too is the support that instructors need while in class.  Each class would have a maximum of 20 students without also having an aide.  This additional support is crucial for there's also correlation between class size and student performance.  

]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446288 jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446292 Leverage after school hours to foster bonds between students and faculty.

One of the takeaways from Curtis Acosta's class was the need to give students a 'home' where they can learn about each other, but perhaps outside of a class is a better approach than incorporating life skills into class time.

Students come into the classroom from all backgrounds and challenges and don't necessarily have a support system at home.  Students may also not have developed enough confidence to share stories without feeling judged.  This is where the school has a unique opportunity. 

Outside the school day, programs would be facilitated by staff and volunteers, inviting students from classes to join and learn more about various cultures and each other -- building bonds with each other and staff in the process, and helping foster a more effective learning experience once in the classroom. 

These programs, when not part of the official curriculum, may also address some of the criticism expressed by parents who don't support curriculum beyond what they feel are the core subjects.  ]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446292 jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446294 Keep the learning environment free from distraction, without a zero-tolerance policy.  Counselors have the ability to creatively address behavioral situations - leverage them!

Responsibility for an environment conducive to learning is shared.  If an environment is disruptive teachers can't teach and students can't learn.  The school's policy would require respect in the classroom with any students causing disruption to on-site counseling staff.  If the disruption is caused by reasons outside of class the counselors would be empowered to share resources with the student.  If the disruption is caused by reasons within the classroom, the counselors would act as neutral parties to help reconcile any conflict.  Only after repeated visits to counseling would a disruptive student be subject to suspension.  Schools also must be safe.  If the level of actions called for it, law enforcement could be called by administrative and counseling staff -- but there wouldn't be an on-site officer stationed at the school, it's important that calls to authorities are considered only after attempts to work through any student behavioral issues.

Counseling support beyond behavioral issues focus on applying to college and developing a path to get there (or an alternate trade school if that's the student's goal), and joining after school clubs and organizations to foster connections with fellow students.]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446294 jrappa2 https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446295 It's clear no one solution is the unicorn of the challenges faced by America's schools to effectively instruct and ensure equity among students -- each approach has its own advantages and issues, which sometimes might just be lack of funds.  

This is why public charter schools, at least in urban areas, seem promising.  Autonomy plays a roll in the school's ability to be creative in curriculum and pedogogical approach, but in the same regard the schools seem to have a greater accountability -- both to the government that backs the charter, and within by not being hindered by the teachers union.  

Funding is a concern though, as the result should never really come at the cost of a degraded experience in the traditional public school system because funding is reduced when students leave.  At the same time, schools should be treated like a business -- given a budget and expected to produce results.  With a charter school, a charter can be revoked, but forcing change in a larger traditional public school backed by the teachers union is a different animal.

Students deserve the best education, and ultimately that should be done through a traditional public school. To that end the school should be well-funded so class sizes are small enough to provide enough one-on-one attention, giving teachers aides in instances where class sizes are larger, as well as all the technology needs the students require. Providing that's done, the school and teachers should be held to account -- no exceptions. If the school cannot modify it's teaching approach so students are successfully scoring high grades in class (and on revised/fairer standardized tests) then parents should have the ability to leverage an alternate option -- the ideal charter school. ]]> 2021-07-02 04:31:13 UTC https://padlet.com/jrappa2/im0donpffy7kc973/wish/1634446295