Used to think charter schools were the answer until I subbed at one for a semester

I always figured charter schools would just do everything better than public schools. Then I subbed at a charter in Austin for 6 months and saw how they push out kids who need extra help to keep test scores up. They suspended a kid with ADHD for 3 days instead of giving him accommodations like my public school would have done. Made me reconsider the whole school choice debate, anyone else have a similar experience with a specific school?

3 comments

3 Comments

claire44312d ago

Changed my whole view honestly. Used to think they were more accountable but seeing them game the system with suspensions was eye opening. Not sure what the answer is anymore but I definitely don't see charters as the easy fix now.

lisa97612d ago

In my kid's school we tried a different approach. They stopped suspending kids for small stuff and started doing restorative circles instead. Took a year to see results but the culture shifted. Suspensions dropped 60% in two years. The teachers had to get trained and some hated it at first. But kids actually stayed in class and learned. Not a perfect system but way better than pushing them out the door.

cole_davis4712d ago

Does the training for teachers cover how to handle the really disruptive kids without sending them out?