For the first time in the history of charter schools in New Jersey the stars are aligned. Governor Christie chose Learning Community Charter School as the location for his first public address. Bret Schundler, the Commissioner of Education, endorses public school choice and was active in supporting start up charter initiatives in the past. Arnie Duncan, Secretary of Education, and President Obama have both declared their belief in the charter model as a powerful approach to educational reform.
It is exciting to hear sweeping endorsement of practices which have defined our school since it opened. Teaching for the “whole child,” providing learning opportunities that wrap around the twelve month calendar, more time for instruction, focus on service and character education, and compensation for teachers which parallels performance rather than number of credits, are initiatives once considered radical that are now being encouraged on broad scale.
Political endorsement opens doors and hopefully, pocketbooks. Expectations run high that the opportunity for choice for parents, children, teachers and communities will convert to student performance that out distances the local districts and raises the achievement bar for the state.
It’s a tall order especially with some of the limitations we are up against; funding, facilities, caps on enrollment and 5 year renewals are daunting challenges. On these points, we must continue to be vigilant in our advocacy in Trenton for equity and fairness for our children.
But, Charter folks are all about SMART and HEART. We compensate for things we don’t have by putting our collective muscle behind our efforts. We are opportunistic and make use of every resource we can tap into. And, we unequivocally always put the education and well being of children first in each decision we make.
Next week the New Jersey Charter Public School Association is hosting their annual conference at the Ocean Place Hilton. Governor Christie will be the keynote speaker and RBCS will be right there in the ballroom fifty voices strong to welcome him to the Shore. Who better than the children to resonate the message that charter education is working and to raise the roof in song to celebrate that success!
Be proud and pleased that you are part of this little movement that bucked the traditional forces and refused to go away. Continue to expect great things from our school and your children. Let our defining word be QUALITY. Who knows, some time soon charter might even become popular.
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