| Practical Applications of the Standards |
6/9/04 2:53 PM |
Author:
Mark Cannon
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It is important to keep in mind what the Principles and Standards are, and also what they are not. In keeping with the flexibility inherent to charter schooling, the standards are not especially prescriptive. They address the ends that authorizers should be trying to achieve (e.g., honoring the autonomy of charter schools while holding them accountable for strong student achievement). The means will often vary based on legal, operational, fiscal and situational constraints that the authorizer faces.
My more than 15 years of association management experience and extensive work dealing with standards-setting bodies tells me that the real difference between voluntary or compulsory standards is minimal, and the compulsory route doesn't conform well with what charters are all about because one has to get very prescriptive in writing standards if you are trying to make them stick through the inevitable appeal process. The leverage that any association has against a recalcitrant player is tied up in the public pressure that can be brought to bear. Sanctioning powers (i.e., disbar the organization from membership) are few.
So, the real power of persuasion that these Principles and Standards carry is through encouraging their widespread adoption (yes, voluntarily) and generating broad awareness of their existence with parent groups, charter school leaders and policymakers. What NACSA is also committed to doing is developing a number of resources modeled off of the standards so that those with the will are shown the way in a very practical sense.
Posted as a reply to:
Ignoring the Standards and Principles by Deborah McGriff
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