A new Stanford study says so!
Yeah, right.
Ok, first off? You can't measure "learning" by the state test. And then? You can't compare some hypothetically average student (made by comparing all state scores into some weird amalgam "average") to a kid in the charter. You'd need to compare that student to the students in the public school which he'd attend ordinarily.
Also? I could have a freaking brilliant teen who hates school and is ready to drop out. Let's pretend hypothetically for a moment that he "learns less" in the charter. The charter is still in my opinion a wild success if it keeps the child from becoming a hobo without a degree. My little hobo? Will have a degree, darnit!
Lies, damn lies and statistics. Responses on the Joanne Jacobs blog were pretty skeptical as well. Interestingly, Jay P. Greene has come out with an article showing that virtual schools in Arizona far outperform traditional brick and mortar schools in that particular state. That's at least closer to comparing apples to apples.
My scientific conclusion: just do what works for your kid. Caveat emptor and all that.
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Look Out, Dad!!
My father is the purple dot above the blue weather station. He's juuust outside Milton's evacuation zone. Well! My brother and I jus...
HEY...Mrs. C. I also have a brilliant child who didn't need his ritalin enhanced, behaviorally disordered school of failure experiment. I kind of gave them a piece of my mind.
ReplyDeleteYour children are so lucky to have you in their corner!
Awww... thank you so much! Right now the middle-older children go to public school, one part-time homeschools, though. I have no doubt in my mind that virtual charters have good place in education. I know the teachers' unions hate them. There IS something to be said for learning something personally from someone, but I don't doubt that so-called canned classes, and the ability to ask questions and get feedback from a real teacher, is a good combo. :)
ReplyDeleteMy brilliant teen wasn't keen on school either. She was doing well, but has a fear of standing in front of the class to present/read her article out loud. She knew she'd get a panic/asthma attack, but the teacher kept insisting. K handed in her books and walked out of school. Got a job the next day.
ReplyDeleteI know people think degrees are very important, but I personally don't see the point. in your particular field of knowledge a degree might get you a higher wage or first chance at a job, but I know a lot of people who work at fast food places because there are so many others out there with the same degrees and only one is needed for a job.
"..only one 'person' is needed for a job".
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not sure how it works in Aus, but here? You could graduate from college well over $200,000 in debt. So you're worse than starting out with nothing. If your girl can get a job and support herself on it, good for her! :)
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