Tag Archives: school choice

School Choice and the Fear of “Those People”

March 16, 2015 Brett Dickerson

walking the line — Rigid, compliant behavior is the main focus of many charter schools in poor neighborhoods. Photo Credit: johngirton.me via Compfight cc

“School Choice” is more about the deep fear of “those people” than proponents will admit. Continue reading School Choice and the Fear of “Those People” →

Education

An Index of My School Choice Posts So Far

March 10, 2015 Brett Dickerson

An anti school-choice rally in February — An anti school-choice rally in 2014

*Updated 3-20-15: There are many parents, teachers, administrators and board members who are fighting a very tough fight in Oklahoma and other states right now against a very corrupt idea misnamed “school choice”. Continue reading An Index of My School Choice Posts So Far →

Education

How School Choice Turns “We” Into “Me”

March 5, 2015 Brett Dickerson

John Rex Elementary Charter School (on the right) is the newest school built in Oklahoma City Public Schools. Their collection area is narrowly defined in an a part of the city where there are few children. That makes room for downtown executives to enroll their children from all parts of the metro. Photo by Brett Dickerson

“School choice” turns the “we” of society into the “me” of taking care of my child at the expense of everyone else.

Continue reading How School Choice Turns “We” Into “Me” →

Education

So You Want Evidence of Choice and Charter Problems?

February 2, 2015 Brett Dickerson

closed charter schools — This is from an **auctioneer’s web site** announcing a real treasure trove of bargain basement prices for equipment bought at full price by a charter school with state taxpayer’s money.

So, you think that you want to expand “school choice” for parents by passing proposed legislation that would allow charters and private schools to take tax money with little of the financial or quality safeguards that publicly controlled schools now have?

Continue reading So You Want Evidence of Choice and Charter Problems? →

Education

Cynical School Choice Stunts Ramp Up In Oklahoma

January 31, 2015 Brett Dickerson

Booker T. Washington School in Tulsa was one of the first magnet schools in the state. The main purpose was to entice Tulsa Schools parents and students to desegregate the schools there. It has been an outpost of racial inclusion and quality since. Photo by one of the early graduates of the Booker T magnet school.

Once upon a time in Oklahoma, magnet public schools were the “choice” that allowed for much more creativity and freedom. They helped to break years of racial/economic segregation. But that’s not the point of a huge “school choice” push today. Continue reading Cynical School Choice Stunts Ramp Up In Oklahoma →

Education

Does School Choice Mean that You Choose the School?

January 28, 2015 Brett Dickerson

Newark parents and students wait in long lines to find out their school assignment. Next, they stand in line at another location to actually enroll. Credit: myfoxtampabay.com

This is “school choice” week for those who propose that all parents just take a certain amount of tax money and choose whatever school they want their child to be in. But it doesn’t always work that way. Continue reading Does School Choice Mean that You Choose the School? →

Education

Bait and Switch with “Parent Choice”?

January 24, 2015 Brett Dickerson

charter schools public schools education — A new legislature will be seated soon and will be pressed to push through new charter-friendly legislation including “choice” bills.

A sweeping charter school bill was defeated last year in the Oklahoma Legislature. If passed, they would have allowed investor-owned charters to spring up in direct competition to public schools everywhere, even in the smallest of towns.

The “reform” argument was the same as it has always been when selling “education reform”: Continue reading Bait and Switch with “Parent Choice”? →