It's Time To Change the Conversation on Charter Schools

Written by

Kendall Massett

Charter schools have gotten a lot of bad press over the last year. School closings. Teacher videos. Investigations about school leader qualifications. Financial crises. Governance issues.

It hasn’t been good.

However, this is part of the deal with charter schools. In exchange for autonomy, there is increased accountability. Charter schools have the freedom to try new and innovative instruction and learning methods, alternatives to traditional methods and curricula. Charters are not supposed to be just like everybody else. But, as can happen with innovation, sometimes these ideas work and sometimes they don’t. When they don’t work, there is a responsibility to take action. That action is often publicized because it makes for a good headline.

But when they do work, it’s a step forward not only for charter schools, but for the entire public school system. These are the stories that I would like to share with you in honor of National Charter Schools Week, May 5-11.

Did you know, for example, that Newark Charter School and Sussex Academy in Georgetown are two of Delaware’s top schools in the K-8 sector? Have you heard about Positive Outcomes Charter School just outside of Dover, which after being identified as one of the state’s most high-need schools, adopted the Big Picture school model, making great strides for its students?

Has anyone told you about the young men at Prestige Academy who are bucking the decades-old correlation between low-income socioeconomic status and dropout rates? Or about the chess program at Thomas Edison Charter School that has improved proficiency rates in the upper grades by teaching critical thinking skills?

Have you been to the Biggs Art Museum in Dover? The Junior Docent program there is staffed by Campus Community Charter School students.

Have you heard about the Greek language curriculum at Odyssey Charter School, which is helping inform national best practice on Foreign Language for Elementary and Secondary school learning? Did you know that the top three schools in math proficiency in the City of Wilmington are charter schools? Or that three of the top four in reading proficiency in the city are charter schools?

Have you heard about the strong leadership at East Side Charter School in Wilmington, which recently invited successful African-American Delawareans – including Wilmington Mayor Dennis P. Williams – to come and speak to the students about what it takes to succeed in school and beyond?

There are good things going on in Delaware’s charter schools. And these things are being shared across the system. For example, the partnership between the Cab Calloway School of the Arts and the Charter School of Wilmington, which share not only a building and facilities, but also a commitment to student achievement by finding effective and efficient methods to share opportunities for their students.

As well as Brandywine School District, which adopted the progressive Singapore Math program piloted by Kuumba Academy Charter School in Wilmington, which successfully utilized it to close their achievement gap. Kuumba’s teachers are working in partnership with Brandywine to help provide professional development and guidance if needed.

The charter school idea is to find best practices and then inform the system. And Delaware’s charters are ready and willing to do so.

So while, yes, Delaware’s charter schools have not all been outstanding success stories, failures are not telling the whole story. Charter school education is not without risk. But it’s a risk many are willing to take to provide choice for Delaware’s families and to give our children an excellent education that meets their needs and prepares them for the global job market that they will face as adults.

We need to change the conversation and talk about the great things that are happening and how these great things can, and are, being shared with the system so that all Delaware’s children can benefit and succeed.

Today, in honor of National Charter Schools Week, members of Delaware’s charter community – students, teachers, parents and leaders – are bringing our collective voice to Legislative Mall in Dover at noon.

We will be there to celebrate how far the charter movement has come in Delaware, and how much farther we can go.

I hope we will be heard and I encourage you to listen.

Kendall Massett, a News Journal Community View writer, is the executive director of the Delaware Charter Schools Network.

Sussex Academy Charter School Students Win Big in Several Arts and Sciences Competitions

Over the last two months, the kids at Sussex Academy, Sussex County, Delaware’s only charter school, have been winning big in statewide and national competitions. They also ranked well nationally on the Global Report Card in reading and math! Check out some of their great accomplishments below!

(The following items were written by Andi Davis, SAAS Mom and PTO, Advocacy and Media Relations Committee)

Odyssey of the Mind

Two teams from the Sussex Academy in Georgetown competed at the Odyssey of the Mind Bay Region Tournament at Sussex Central High School on March 2^nd, taking 1^st and 2^nd place.  The competitive academic teams spent months practicing after school to prepare for the competition.  Team A competed in “It’s How You Look at It” and placed 1^st out of 17 teams.  The team members were Jalen Levenberry, Connor Hall, Robert Van Pelt, Claire Loftus, Marika Vasilikos , Jax Polve and Sarah Ashmore, with coaches Courtney and Anthony Powell.   Team B competed in “The Email Must Go Through” and placed 2^nd out of 19 teams.  Team members included Wes Kirschner, Claire Sullivan, Lee Downs, Chloe Bartholomew, Kaylee Velasquez, Pete Vasilikos and Dylan Baldwin, with coach Elizabeth Kirschner.   

 

Photo 1: Team A ~ Front Row: Sarah Ashmore, Claire Loftus, Marika Vasilikos, Connor Hall Back Row: Jalen Levenberry, Jax Polve, Robert Van Pelt

 

Photo 2: Team B

Dylan Baldwin, Wes Kirschner ,Pete Vasilikos, Coach Kirschner, Kaylee Velasquez, Claire Sullivan, Chloe Bartholomew

Both teams then went on to compete at the Odyssey of the Mind Delaware State Finals Tournament in Smyrna, DE on March 23rd.  One team competed in “The Email Must Go Through”, finishing 2^nd, qualifying them to attend the World Finals on May 22 at Michigan State University.   The second team competed in “It’s How You Look at It” and placed 4^th.        

 

Photo – “The Email Must Go Through” team – going to World Finals

Standing:  Coach Kirschner, Kaylee Velasquez, Lee Downs, Chloe Bartholomew, Dylan Baldwin, Claire Sullivan

Seated:  Pete Vasilikos, Wes Kirschner  

Science Olympiad

The Sussex Academy in Georgetown competed at the state Science Olympiad Tournament at Delaware State University on March 16^th, finishing 1^st in Sussex County, and ranked as the top team outside of New Castle County.  The competitive academic team spent months practicing after school to prepare for the competition.  The team of 15 students competed in 24 different events against 59 teams, demonstrating their scientific knowledge in various areas, ranging from Bottle Rockets to Geology and Music.  Medals were awarded for the top 10 teams for each event, and Cohen Davis and Colden Fees earned a 7^th place medal for Bottle Rockets.  The team also placed in the top 20 in several other events.  Katie Maher, Graham Spellman and Madi Rice finished 11^th in Experimental Design.  Ari August and Patrick Dopler finished 12^th place for Crime Busters, as did Cohen Davis, Colden Fees and Kierstin Blatzheim for Mission Possible.  Christopher and Patrick Dopler finished 14^th in Helicopters, and Grace Scott and Graham Spellman finished 15^th in Dynamic Planet.  Kierstin Blatzheim and Kathryn Donati earned 17^th place in Reach for the Stars.  18^th place finishes went to Katie Maher and Ari August for Heredity, as well as Maggie Smith and Christopher Dopler in Rotor Egg Drop.  Colden Fees and Kathryn Van Pelt earned 19^th place in Forestry. 

 

Photo:  Science Olympiad Team

Front Row: Kathryn Donati, Abby Drummond, Kierstin Blatzheim, Katie Maher, Elijah Boladas, Christopher Dopler 

Back Row: Ms. Hvorecny, Madi Rice, Kathryn Van Pelt, Grace Scott, Maggie Smith, Cohen Davis, Colden Fees, Ari August, Patrick Dopler, Mrs. Fees

Not pictured:  Graham Spellman

Writing Competitions

Students from the Sussex Academy in Georgetown have recently earned success in several writing competitions.  Two students received awards for the 2013 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  In the area of flash fiction, Taryn Wood earned the Silver Key for “Trapped with the Enemy.”  Sarah Ashmore earned a Silver Key for her poem “Death”, and she also earned an honorable mention for her short story “The Missing.  Both were honored at an awards ceremony in Dover on February 9^th.

Sussex Academy students swept the Love Poem Contest sponsored by the South Coastal Library in Bethany.  1^st place – Abby Pardocchi, 2^nd place – Gabby Pardocchi, and 3^rd place – Tessa Elling.  Of the seven other finalists, four were current Sussex Academy students, including Kierstin Blatzheim, Elise Conlin, Rachael Weidman, and Clarice Pamplona, and one, Julie Parsons, is an alumni.

Each year the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild sponsors a contest for young writers.  In the area of non-fiction for the 10-13 age group, Savannah Mills placed first with her story “The Ride of a Lifetime”, and Alex Downs placed second with “The Guitarist I Am”.  Eighth grader Hannah Lowe won first place for poetry with “What I Want.”  They were all recognized in the September issue of Delaware Beach Life magazine.  First place winners also had their piece published.

We hope to have a sample of these to add to our site soon!

 

Photo1: Sarah Ashmore, Taryn Wood and Ms. Hugues (writing teacher)  

Photo 2: Ms. Hugues, Abby Pardocchi, Tessa Elling, Gabby Pardocchi

Photo 3: Ms. Hugues, Alex Downs, Savannah Mills, Hannah Lowe

National Rankings in Reading & Math

Sussex Academy in Georgetown recently earned high rankings nationally in both reading and math on the Global Report Card.  According to this report, when looking at academic achievement Sussex Academy was ranked 13^th in reading and 39^th in math.  The Global Report Card was developed by the George W. Bush Presidential Center to compare academic achievement in math and reading between 2004 and 2009 for U.S. school districts to the average achievement in a set of 25 counties with developed economies.  The rankings listed are for comparisons done with 2009 data, the most recent data available for conducting the analysis.  Internationally, Sussex Academy received a score of 91% in reading and 86% in math.  Nationally the scores are 91% for reading and 90% for math.  Within the State of Delaware the scores are 90% for reading and 89% for math.  When comparing Sussex Academy to all other schools in the nation, 91% of students in other schools score lower on reading and 89% score lower in math than the average Sussex Academy student.   

Sussex Academy is expanding to include high school, with the first 9^th grade class beginning in August 2013.  There are still openings available for 9^th grade, so there is still time to become part of the first freshman class.  Applications can be picked up at the school at 21777 Sussex Pines Road, Georgetown or online at sussexacademy.org.  Call 856-3636 with any questions.       

Sussex Academy is a charter school.  Charter schools are independent, tuition-free public schools, serving students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The “charter” establishing each school is a contract, which states the school’s mission, program and measurable goals. Charter schools may be authorized by the State Department of Education or a local school district. They are accountable to their authorizer, parents and the public. Charter schools are different from traditional public schools in that they can only remain open as long as they deliver the results that they promise.  Sussex Academy is the only charter school in Sussex County. 

Do you know about the Delaware Talent Cooperative Bonuses?

Teachers – have you heard about the Delaware Talent Cooperative (Co-op)? Do you teach Math or ELA? Did you earn a ‘Highly Effective’ summative rating?  Were you rated ‘Exceeds’ on Component V? If so, you are eligible for an Attraction Award and could make up to $20,000 over a two-year period if you work in one of the participating schools.

So what does all this mean? Let’s start with:

(The following is from www.DETalentCoop.org)

What is the Delaware Talent Cooperative?

The Delaware Talent Cooperative is designed to put the most effective educators in front of the students who need them most — and to support schools that have high populations of traditionally underserved students.

The Co-Op encourages some of the state’s most accomplished educators (teachers, specialists, and school leaders) to transfer to the highest-need schools or to continue working there. It includes awards and recognition for educators, professional development, leadership opportunities, and grant opportunities for participating schools.

Why was it launched? 

Students from low-income communities are often taught by less seasoned  educators, even though these students typically require our best educators. Delaware is renewing its commitment to place  the most effective educators in the schools where they are needed most.

What does this mean to you, the highly effective educator?

Our most effective educators are often those who seek to make our schools the best they can be. They are the ones who look for the opportunity to change the lives of children in our schools, and to work within an innovative community that is changing every day to meet the needs of students.

If this describes you, we invite you to come work in one of our charter schools (see list below for those that are participating in the Attraction and Retention Award programs).

Check out www.DETalentCoop.org to apply. Contact each school directly to learn more about their individual needs. Most importantly, keep doing what you do every day for the children  you serve!

K – 8 Schools

• ·         Academy of Dover
• ·         Delaware College Preparatory Academy
• ·         EastSide Charter School
• ·         Kuumba Academy
• ·         Prestige Academy for Boys
• ·         Reach Academy for Girls
• ·         Thomas Edison Charter School

6 – 12 Schools

• ·        The New Maurice J. Moyer Academy
• ·         Positive Outcomes Charter School

May Charter School Rally

An Adventure for our Thomas A. Edison Charter Kids ~ With your help!

Do you know how to play chess? I don't - though I wish I did! Our students at Edison Charter play chess. They play chess and they learn. Last year the chess team at Edison came in 2nd place in the National Chess Championship! This year, they get another chance and hopefully can make it to 1st place! But they need your help. Here is a letter from the school leader explaining how you can help:

Dear Chess Team Supporter,

We are writing to express to you our sincere gratitude for supporting our awesome students and chess team over the past few years. With your prayers, love and financial support, our students have been able to compete and win at the National Chess Championships in Ohio and California! In addition, because of your amazing kindness, our children have excelled academically due to our accelerated and rigorous programs.

We need you more than ever today! Our school is located in the heart of North Wilmington, DE.

Wilmington was recently recognized as one of the most dangerous cities in America. Yet, with your support, Edison provides a safe and stable environment, and our students have gained acceptance into some of the best private, charter and traditional public schools in Delaware.

There are nearly 200 students in our school who play chess during the school day, in the lunchroom and after school. Your support is reaching a large number of children. In early April, we will be taking 20–30 students by chartered coach bus to the Super National (Grades K-12) Chess Championships in Nashville, TN. Our students have won numerous major tournaments and finished in 2nd place at the 2012 National Chess Championship in San Diego, CA. Our students are very excited about competing in the Nationals this year, which will take place from April 4-8th! In order to provide each student on the team an opportunity to travel to Tennessee for 5 days we will need your help. The cost, including transportation by coach bus, hotel, meals, and tournament fees for twenty students, will be approximately $20,000 ($1000 per student). Students in the inner-city rarely have the opportunity to travel, but with your support they can be exposed to many wonderful experiences.

Recent Accomplishments

2012 National Chess Championship, 2nd Place, April 2012

2012 MCA Susquehanna Scholastic Chess Champions, November 2012

3rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Girls’ Chess Champions (repeat champs), November 2012

We hope you will consider making a donation to our chess team. You can sponsor one or more students, or any amount you give will be appreciated. Please make all checks payable to Thomas Edison Charter School.

Your donation is tax-deductible and you will receive a thank you letter confirming your donation and

indicating our tax-exempt number. We will keep you updated on the progress of the students in the future. Your commitment to children is paying huge dividends. We can’t do it without you!

Thanks for your support,

Salome Thomas-EL

Head of School

Milestones and Accomplishments

2010-2012

• 2011 State of Delaware Academic Achievement Award

• Recognized for improving academics of high poverty students (96% student poverty)

• More than 90% of 8th graders proficient in Math on state test (over 85% reading)

• (College Board) SpringBoard Pre-AP Curriculum in Language Arts and Mathematics

• Met AYP each year

• Largest cohort of students selected into Delaware Futures

• 100-Book Challenge Reading Program in every grade (K-8)

• Franklin Covey 7-Habits “Leader in Me” school

• First Move in-school Chess program (Grades 2-3)

• Achieve 3000 online Supplemental Reading Program (Grades 2-8)

• School Choir performed at the 6-ABC 2012 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

• Our students are accepted into the following high performing high schools:

 St. Andrews, Tatnall, Archmere Academy, Ursuline Academy, and Sanford School

 Wilmington Charter, Mt. Pleasant IB and Conrad School of Science

• Chess Tournaments

 Greater Mid-Atlantic All-Girls Chess Champions, December 2010

 UMBC Elementary, Junior High, and High School Chess Champions, February 2011

 Greater Baltimore Elementary and Junior High Chess Champions, October 2011

 2011 National Chess Championship, 8th Place, April 2011

 2012 National Chess Championship, 2nd Place, April 2012

 Individual—Co-National Grade Champion and Top Female Player

 2012 MCA Susquehanna Scholastic Chess Champions, November 2012

 3rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Girls’ Chess Champions (repeat champs), November 2012