Many new faces at VID Forum on School Options
Forum Moderator, Nadine Hoffmann
Charter schools, public schools, parental and community schools all got lots of attention at VID’s General Membership Meeting on November 13. Discussions about public funding (they all are publicly funded), parent and community involvement (a must) and Department of Education bureaucracy (usually a detriment to quick action and cheaper materials) was enlightening.
One of most contentious issues was the inequality between charter and non-charter public schools over additional funding and extra resources. Many argued, also, that co-location of schools in the same building often leads to reduced space for non-charters and a sense of unfairness to students. Questions of student selection and teacher retention were also brought up.
An uplifting part of the discussion was a realization that the problems are not insurmountable. All along the education spectrum, leaders have begun to work together, hoping to share what works and to improve what is failing. It takes a huge leap of faith on all fronts, but the future of our students depends on it.
The panelists included: Eric Joerss, Deputy for Government Affairs, the NYC Charter School Center; Barbara McKeon, Principal, Broome Street Academy Charter High School; Leonie Haimson, Executive Director, Class Size Matters; Tamara Rowe, Community Education Council, District 2.
See the article in The Villager…and the pictures below
[cincopa A8BAmE8I8Kab]