Public schools get ‘Flunked’

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation has produced an hourlong film called “Flunked” that is both an indictment of America’s public schools system and a testament to some public schools that work.

Two of the featured schools are from our neck of the woods: Warden (Wash.) High School, where many students come from families where English is still being learned, but 60 percent go to college; and Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, which last year was named a National Charter School of the Year.

The inclusion of Northwest schools is no accident; the foundation is based in Olympia. Plus, two of the featured teachers – Angie Dorman of Warden and CdA Charter founder Bill Proser – are members of Northwest Professional Educators, which formed in 2001 with moral support from the foundation, as a conservative alternative to teachers unions.

And it’s not surprising that the film singled out several charter schools as worthy of praise; that’s a foundation cause.

Dorman and Proser attended a free showing of the film last week in Spokane. Also there: Cindy Omlin, executive director of Northwest Professional Educators, and Maureen Ramos, head of the Spokane Education Association, which butts heads with the Foundation over school funding, the WASL and charter schools, among other things. One of those battles went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

All spoke at an after-movie Q-and-A, with Omlin naming “unhealthy rigidity” by union contracts as one problem plaguing public schools. Charter schools, which operate in 40 states as well as the District of Columbia but have been rejected by Washington voters, are able to set aside some of the rules governing other public schools.

But Ramos said the film reminded her of the freedom all teachers used to enjoy. Standardized testing and other state and federal requirements have created rigidity, she said, not unions.

And Terren Roloff, spokeswoman for Spokane Public Schools, reminded the crowd that Spokane schools are reaching some of the same heights as the schools featured in the film, particularly in poor neighborhoods. She noted that Ferris and Lewis and Clark high schools recently made that same Newsweek list of great schools that also included the CdA academy.

Judge for yourself. The foundation says DVD copies of the film can be ordered starting Sept. 1 at www.flunkedthemovie.com.

Speaking of charter schools …

Under a program started during the Clinton administration, charter schools get more than $200 million a year in federal funding. What are taxpayers getting for their money? Well, compared to traditional public schools:

• Charter schools are more likely to serve minority students and those from poor families but are less likely to serve special education students.

• They’re typically about one-fifth the size, and fewer of their teachers are certified.

• They’re “somewhat less likely” to meet performance standards. However, “it is not possible to determine from this study whether or not traditional public schools are more effective than charter schools” because more data is needed.

That’s according to a 2004 U.S. Department of Education report that looked at data collected from three school years. Of course, there are plenty of other studies, and you’re sure to find one to support your opinion.

Requiring more for a mortarboard

The Washington Board of Education last week approved new education requirements beginning with the class of 2016 – those students now entering fifth grade.

Under the so-called “Core 24” requirements, students will need 24 credits to graduate instead of the current state minimum of 19. (Individual school districts require anywhere from 20 to 30 credits.) Those credits will include specific requirements, including four years of English, three years each of social studies and math (including Algebra II) and two years of art.

Among the issues that must be solved: How the state’s going to fund the additional credit hours.

It is the first change in state graduation requirements since 1985.

Going to the source

“OSPI helps inject $354 million into state economy,” announced a press release last week from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The key word being “helps.” Because, while it’s true that the OSPI is distributing the money to help pay for school construction and modernization projects in 37 districts, and also true that such projects can stimulate the economy, it’s taxpayers who are providing the money.

And since the money only goes to districts that have raised local sawbucks for projects, the actual infusion from taxpayers actually is more than $1 billion.

So give yourselves a round of applause.

Acronym of the week

You may think E2T2 is a Shop Vac-shaped robot that carried Princess Leia’s urgent message to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

If so, you’re a silly Wookiee.

E2T2 is one of hundreds of acronyms on the state’s education Web page. It stands for Enhancing Education Through Technology, a federal program that’s part of No Child Left Behind.

Under E2T2, the U.S. Department of Education provides grants to give students greater access to technology, particularly in poor communities. The money also can be used for technology training for educators.

And that cute little robot in “Star Wars”? R2D2, of course.

Number of the week

72: The percentage of kindergarten students nationwide who attended all-day kindergarten classes in 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In Washington, the Legislature approved funding to offer “all-day K” on a trial basis in 2007. In the Spokane district, where it was offered last school year in five elementaries, educators say it was a big success, raising kids’ reading levels and helping them adjust to the rigors of school.

The Legislature has offered money to expand the program for the coming school year, so kids will go to all-day K in 12 of Spokane’s 34 elementary schools.