lokesh kumar’s Post

A recent survey by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston and the Executive Master of Public Administration program at Texas Southern University reveals strong support among Texans for school voucher plans and educational savings accounts (ESAs). The survey indicates a significant shift in public opinion, with about two-thirds of respondents favoring these proposals. The main concern regarding implementing school vouchers and ESAs is their impact on public school funding. Professor Renee Cross, senior executive director of Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, addressed this issue, stating, "Our survey doesn't specifically address the impact on funding, but many respondents believe it will affect public school funding. Even supporters of vouchers and educational savings accounts admit this impact." Despite previous proposals failing to pass, the continued push for vouchers indicates it will remain a crucial topic in the upcoming legislative session. State leaders' persistent advocacy, especially Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, has kept the issue at the forefront of legislative discussions. The survey's findings are intended to inform a broad audience, including policymakers and the general public. The survey's bipartisan support for school vouchers, crossing racial and partisan lines, highlights the widespread belief that these programs could divert resources from public schools. What are your thoughts on the impact of school vouchers and ESAs on public school funding? Do you believe these programs will significantly affect the quality of public education in Texas? https://lnkd.in/gbGCNY78 #education #educationreform #texas #texaslegislation #publicschool #publicschoolfunding #schoolvouchers

Charter schools In the landscape of education reform, charter schools have emerged as a dynamic and often controversial component. These publicly funded institutions operate with increased autonomy, allowing for experimentation with alternative approaches to teaching and learning. As we delve into the realm of charter schools, let’s explore their unique characteristics, benefits, challenges, and their potential to drive educational innovation. One of the primary advantages of charter schools is their ability to foster educational innovation. Freed from many of the bureaucratic constraints faced by traditional public schools, charter schools can implement creative teaching methods, personalized learning approaches, and specialized curricula tailored to the needs of their students. This flexibility enables them to cater to diverse learning styles, address specific community needs, and pilot new educational models that may later be scaled or replicated elsewhere.Additionally, charter schools often serve as incubators for educational best practices. Through collaboration with educators, parents, and community stakeholders, charter schools can develop innovative solutions to common challenges in education, such as closing the achievement gap, increasing graduation rates, and promoting college and career readiness. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding charter schools, there is no denying their potential to drive educational innovation and empower students, families, and communities. By fostering a culture of experimentation, collaboration, and accountability, charter schools can serve as catalysts for positive change in the education system. However, to fully realize their potential, charter schools must prioritize equity, transparency, and student success, while addressing concerns related to accountability, governance, and resource allocation.Ultimately, charter schools are not a panacea for all the challenges facing education, nor are they without flaws. However, they represent an important component of the educational landscape, offering opportunities for innovation, choice, and diversity in schooling. By harnessing the strengths of charter schools and addressing their shortcomings, we can work towards a more equitable, inclusive, and effective education system that serves the needs of all students, regardless of background or circumstance. #charterschool #talentserve

Exploring the Impact of Charter Schools: A Closer Look Charter schools have been a topic of considerable debate in education circles. Advocates tout them as innovative alternatives to traditional public schools, offering more flexibility and autonomy in exchange for greater accountability. Critics, however, raise concerns about their potential to exacerbate educational inequalities and divert resources away from the public school system. One of the key principles of charter schools is accountability. In exchange for their autonomy, charter schools are held accountable for meeting predetermined performance standards outlined in their charter agreements. If they fail to meet these standards, they may face consequences such as closure or restructuring. Proponents argue that this accountability fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, as schools are incentivized to adopt effective practices and respond to the needs of their students. Moreover, charter schools have the potential to serve as laboratories for educational experimentation. By encouraging competition and diversity within the education sector, they spur innovation and drive improvements in teaching and learning. However, the proliferation of charter schools has also raised concerns about equity and access. Additionally, the growth of charter schools can strain resources and undermine the stability of traditional public schools, particularly in communities with declining enrollment. Furthermore, the effectiveness of charter schools varies widely, with some achieving remarkable success while others struggle to meet basic educational standards. This variability underscores the importance of rigorous oversight and accountability measures to ensure charter schools fulfill their promise of providing quality education to all students. In conclusion, charter schools represent a complex and evolving facet of the education landscape. While they offer the potential for innovation and choice, they also pose challenges in terms of equity, accountability, and resource allocation. As policymakers and educators continue to grapple with these issues, it is essential to maintain a balanced approach that preserves the strengths of charter schools while addressing their shortcomings. #talentserve #task68

CHARTER SCHOOLS: A charter school is a school that receives government funding but operates independently of the established state school system in which it is located. It is independent in the sense that it operates according to the basic principle of autonomy for accountability, that it is freed from the rules but accountable for results. Who attends charter schools? The percentage of public school students who attended public charter schools increased by an overall 1.7 million students between 2009 and 2018. They serve a higher percentage of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and there are more of them in urban areas than rural ones. Many families can choose to send their child to a charter school instead of their district’s public schools. However, some charter schools are so popular that they have caps on enrollment. In these cases, schools usually hold a lottery to select students to fill open seats, and some have application processes. Charter School Pros and Cons: It’s very hard to generalize pros and cons, since each school is so different. Pros: -Smaller class sizes (usually). -Greater flexibility in curriculum and teaching style. -Stronger ability and willingness to accommodate various learning styles. -Focus on subjects that matter to students enrolled. -Less concern about state standards and requirements. -Some studies indicate minority students have more success at charter schools than public schools. Cons: -Since not always required to follow state standards, some charters have lower academic achievement in certain subjects. -May offer fewer sports, clubs, and other extra-curriculars. -Depending on the location, may not offer free transportation to and from school. -If the school is under-performing or the organization running it struggles, it may be shut down, even in the middle of the year. -The requirements for opening a charter school vary from state to state, leading to inconsistencies in quality. #talentserve

There is no alignment or accountability in education policy and it is hard to see how shifting a few chairs on the educational Titanic, called Michigan public education system is going to change this reality. If you have a hole in your roof, pretending to fix it, does not keep the rain out. Real change is needed in the governance of Michigan’s system of public education. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launches new education office, seeking more college grads in Michigan. This may be a start, it certainly should not be an end as it does little if anything to address the dysfunction of alignment or accountability in education policy and direction in Michigan. https://lnkd.in/gqvgdQFa

Title: Supporting Accountability and Transparency in Charter Schools: A Step Forward for Education As a proponent of educational equity and excellence, I am pleased to voice my support for House Bill HB24-1363, which aims to enhance accountability and transparency in charter schools. This legislation represents a significant step forward in ensuring that all students have access to high-quality education and that charter schools operate in a manner that is accountable to their communities. One of the key provisions of HB24-1363 is the requirement for charter school governing boards to include representation from parents or legal guardians of enrolled students and individuals reflecting the demographics of the community. This ensures that those directly impacted by charter school policies have a seat at the table and a voice in decision-making processes. By fostering greater community involvement, this provision strengthens the connection between charter schools and the communities they serve, ultimately leading to better outcomes for students. Another important aspect of the bill is its focus on transparency in charter school operations. By prohibiting automatic waivers from charter contracts and requiring clear disclosure of waived laws and policies, HB24-1363 empowers parents, educators, and community members to make informed decisions about their local schools. Transparency is essential for building trust and accountability within our education system, and this legislation takes important steps to ensure that charter schools operate in an open and transparent manner. Additionally, HB24-1363 addresses concerns about conflicts of interest and financial accountability by prohibiting charter school governing board members or leaders from engaging in activities that could result in conflicts of interest and by requiring charter schools to publicly report financial information. These provisions help to safeguard the integrity of charter school governance and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and effectively. As someone who believes deeply in the power of education to transform lives and communities, I believe that HB24-1363 is a positive and necessary measure that will strengthen our charter school system and improve educational outcomes for all students. By promoting accountability, transparency, and community involvement, this legislation aligns with our shared values of equity, excellence, and opportunity in education. I urge our state legislators to support HB24-1363 and to continue working towards policies that prioritize the needs of students and families, foster innovation and excellence in education, and ensure that every child has access to the high-quality education they deserve. Together, we can build a brighter future for our students and our state.

The Future of Education Policy: 7 Trends State Lawmakers Need to Know for 2024. “Early literacy policies grounded in the science of reading were adopted in 10 states—Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin—with eight additional states adopting other early literacy improvements. Four of those states added or protected third-grade retention policies—a proven intervention strategy for improving literacy outcomes.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gdmH2c-J #suegrant #theliteracyproject

Watch this week and see if true structural reforms are proposed or more marginal ideas are put forth to protect the status quo—- which will not take Michigan where it needs to go to be relevant as the 21st century unfolds.

National Republicans are poised to support “universal school choice” as part of the policy platform they adopt at next week’s convention in Milwaukee, a goal supporters see as the culmination of decades advocating for parents’ autonomy to pick their children’s schools. To opponents, it’s a thinly veiled blueprint for gutting public education. The term can mean different things to different people — from erasing school boundaries, to open enrollment, to being able to curate your child’s individual curriculum, to parental control over K-12 course content. But education experts across the political spectrum interpret the GOP platform’s wording as favoring the type of approach adopted in states like West Virginia and Ohio, which make available taxpayer-funded vouchers, or scholarships, that can follow a child regardless of income to any public or private school.

Title: Exploring the Impact and Controversy Surrounding Charter Schools Charter schools have long been a topic of debate in the education sector, offering an alternative to traditional public schooling. These institutions, funded by taxpayers but operated independently, have stirred both enthusiasm and criticism. Let's delve into the essence of charter schools and their implications. 1. **Flexibility and Autonomy**: One of the key features of charter schools is their autonomy in curriculum design, staffing, and budget management. This flexibility allows them to tailor educational programs to meet the needs of diverse student populations. 2. **Innovation and Specialization**: Charter schools often focus on specific themes or educational philosophies, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), arts integration, or language immersion. This specialization can foster innovation and cater to students with particular interests or learning styles. 3. **Accountability and Performance**: While charter schools have autonomy, they are held accountable for academic performance and adherence to their charter agreements. This accountability can lead to higher academic standards and increased parental involvement. 4. **Equity and Access**: Proponents argue that charter schools promote educational equity by providing alternatives to traditional public schools, especially in underserved communities. They offer parents the opportunity to choose the best educational fit for their children, regardless of zip code. 5. **Controversy and Criticism**: Despite their potential benefits, charter schools face criticism on several fronts. Critics argue that they divert resources from traditional public schools, exacerbate segregation, and lack transparency in their operations. 6. **Mixed Research Findings**: Research on the academic outcomes of charter schools yields mixed results. Some studies show that charter schools outperform traditional public schools, while others find no significant difference or even lower performance. 7. **Policy and Regulation**: The regulatory landscape surrounding charter schools varies widely from state to state. Some states have stringent oversight mechanisms, while others have more lax regulations, leading to disparities in quality and accountability. In conclusion, charter schools offer a dynamic alternative to traditional public education, with the potential to foster innovation and address educational inequities. However, their impact and effectiveness remain subjects of ongoing debate and scrutiny. As policymakers and educators continue to navigate the complexities of the education landscape, finding a balance between autonomy and accountability will be crucial in ensuring that all students have access to high-quality education. #TalentServe TalentServe