tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3598011236524370092.post1439888924079967736..comments2023-04-13T02:54:58.231-07:00Comments on The Eclectic Radical: Should we be scared of 'Socialized Education?'The Eclectic Geekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816048674683037441noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3598011236524370092.post-68944130821333262122009-10-11T02:29:41.368-07:002009-10-11T02:29:41.368-07:00First, apologies for the time it took to reply. I ...First, apologies for the time it took to reply. I missed your comment in my flurry of September/October activity.<br /><br />I've found that the most successful charter schools, your Bronx Science and similar schools, are extremely careful to cherry pick the most likely students and thus manage to manufacture a lot of their own success.<br /><br />I actually think I know some of the studies you are mentioning, which is part of why I am so harsh on charters. This is part of why I say the only way to really make an impact through the use of charter schools would be to make ALL schools charter schools. Give every teacher complete freedom to teach every student. Period.<br /><br />I also believe in something I beat myself up for not including in the original post. More programs to provide students with independent studies options through the school system and to support parents engaged in home schooling. This would make it much easier for kids who don't 'fit the system' to get the kind of individual support they need when it just isn't possible to give it in even the most 'open' classroom setting.The Eclectic Geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816048674683037441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3598011236524370092.post-975598762750969442009-09-22T21:08:36.880-07:002009-09-22T21:08:36.880-07:00Your more harsh on charters than I am. I think the...Your more harsh on charters than I am. I think they vary pretty widely in terms of levels of entry (and they also vary to a much greater degree than public schools in quality). BUT, even if all of them had very open admission policies, it wouldn't make a difference because studies have shown that many of the students who need the most help come from families that are just not able to participate in "choice" in the way that policy wonks would like them to. They will not be reached in a system that expects them to autonomously make the "right" choice. Happy to provide cites of studies and some other stuff on this.A. Mercerhttp://mizmercer.edublogs.orgnoreply@blogger.com