NPR/MPR
********* these are the posts that I have accumulated over the last three weeks. I'm not sure if they are what we need, but here they are...
NPR- http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/poll/education/education.front.html
Date of Access- 3-8-09
Title- Americans willing to pay for improving schools
Synopsis-
- September 1999, a survey was done to show Americans support for paying higher taxes for improvements for educational reforms
- Public charter schools states it s a controversial reform more people are in favor of them, but not enough info to speak about it
Pioneer Press- http://www.twincities.com/ci_11838364
Date of Access- 3-9-09
Title- Bill would tighten the rules for Minnesota Charter schools
Synopsis-
- Changes to make charter schools stronger help with monitoring of schools; finances and academics
- 1991 MN passed charter school law to allow for kids to attend school for free
-2008 Legislator auditors report suggest that some rules need to be changed in order to assure that charter schools are strengthening
- bill means (if passed into law) limit who can sponsor a charter school, who manages finances and trainings for board members, keep sponsors from "unfair financial gain" in its relationship to a charter school
-allow for student dismissal for up to 3 hours due to religious reasons
MPR- http://minnesotapublicradio.org/display/web/2007/03/21/edfundingbill/
Date of Access- 3-9-09
Title- Senates opening education bid undercuts governor
Synopsis-
-charter school cap
-house not supporting the limit of charter schools
-"most significant attacks on charter schools in 15 years".
-Pawlenty disagrees with the Senate stating caping charter schools sends the wrong message
MPR- http://minnesotapublicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/30/charter_report/
Date of Access- 3-15-09
Title- Study: Charter Schools a mixed bgg
Synopsis-
-mixed results in terms of outcomes .5 vs 2/3 charter to regular schools
-changes to charter schools
- sponsors to stop taking advantage of financial situation (provide additional trainings)
Pioneer Press- http://www.twincities.com/ci_11986537?nclick_check=1
Date of Access- 3-26-09
Title- Editorial: Concerns about charter schools are real, and fixing the problems is fine
Synopsis-
- support charter schools, but needs some fine tuning
- "emphasis on openness, accountability, strong oversight and measurable results,"
- Senate Education committee scheduled to hear a bill today sponsored by Sen. Kathy Saltzman
- similar bill moving forward in the house
Background-
- pioneered idea of charter schools in 1991
- funded by tax payer dollars, but not private schools formed by parents, teachers, community members, colleges
- operate different from normal school district structure; don't follow same laws or rules that apply to other public schools
-held accountable to Senate educational standards and must take state standardized tests
-currently 152 school operating 32,776 with 7 more to open
-Saltzman bill would cap at 160 until fall 2011
-Saltzman bill is controversial to the house, but Saltzman agress that cap may dissolve as they move forward
- question arise about ties to sectarian organizations; conflict of interest between those who run vs. those who provide service; how funds are being used
MPR- http://minnesotapublicradio.org/display/web/2009/01/05/education_preview/
Date of Access- 3-26-09
Title- Schools embrace for rough legislative session
Synopsis-
-changes in the way charter schools are regulated
- oversight from state and state sponsor
-whether there should be moratorium on new charter schools
- Saltzman to look at charter schools as a whole instead of 1 or 2 schools