| Aren't we the R&D of public ed? |
6/8/04 11:48 AM |
| Author:
Lynanne Fowle
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Why not allow charter schools to experiment with accountability models just like we are allowed to experiment with curricular and instructional models? If we have a way of quantifying what our kids are doing and translating it into something our state offices can interpret, why not be allowed to submit a proposal and get a 2-3 year window to try something new? If it works, states can try it on a larger scale, and if it doesn't, we go back to the drawing board.
We're working on an accountability model at our school that is computer-driven, that takes what we do with essential questions and unit grades and translates that on a moment's notice to our department of public instruction so they can track student success/failure rates month by month, if necessary.
We're not sure if we'll be given an opportunity to try this, but NCLB has a clause in it that states that NCLB regulations "should be done in ways that do not inhibit or discourage the approval or oversight of innovative, high quality charter schools." Does this give us an opportunity to suggest something that better aligns with our specific charters rather than try to conform to rules that were not created with our specific challenges in mind?
Posted as a reply to:
To heck with NCLB - do the right thing! by Margaret Roush-Meier
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