Would a new Bayview school harm other schools?
I posted this question on the blog of the Coalition for Essential Schools, which is proposing a new small school in the Bayview. It was originally reported as a proposed charter school, but BOE member Eric Mar says it wouldn't be a charter. Here's my post:
I got an e-mail from the blogmaster that the leaders of the Coalition of Essential Schools will respond to my question asap. I'll post the response.
— Caroline
The proposal for the new Bayview school troubles me. Since enrollment in the San Francisco Unified School District is dropping, opening a new school guarantees harming an existing one.
The new school would be located close to Thurgood Marshall High School, which is turning around after some troubled years, and Phillip and Sala Burton High School, which is losing enrollment. It's also not far from the June Jordan Small School for Equity, which has never been at full enrollment. All these vulnerable schools would undoubtedly be harmed by a new school opening nearby. Isn't that going to do damage to the community, not benefit it?
Charters inflict damage on school districts in any case, but whether this school is a charter or not, I find the question of its impact on nearby schools a real concern. -- Caroline Grannan, SFUSD parent, volunteer and advocate
I got an e-mail from the blogmaster that the leaders of the Coalition of Essential Schools will respond to my question asap. I'll post the response.
— Caroline
Labels: SFUSD Politics
6 Comments:
The CES folks prefer the school to be a non-charter public high school in the Bayview community. I would consider supporting a school if I am convinced it will not negatively impact June Jordan, Burton, Marshall and other schools in the area.
How could it not impact nearby schools that will be harmed if they lose students to a new school?
Except... as I understand it, this school along with others within the district (including one mentioned by you) have been working with SFUSD and other agencies to try and develop a small schools policy. The BayView school even wanted to be an in-district school rather than a public charter.
The real issue is that schools which serve our most underserved youth are not given the level of autonomy needed to succeed. SF youth need small schools! In the absence of a district supported - fully supported - small schools program, the families of SF will design their own... and as hard as it is to accept, they will be public charters.
And how will that not damage existing schools, in a district that is losing enrollment?
A little more in response to "anonymous."
If SFUSD turned down the proposal by this out-of-town organization on the basis that this new school would damage the nearby schools, then would it be responsible and beneficial to the community to go ahead and force the school into the district as a charter?
Does this organization feel that the new school would NOT negatively impact nearby schools, and if so, how would that negative impact be avoided?
The threatening tone of
"anonymous' " last sentence makes clear that he/she recognizes that charter schools are harmful to school districts (which means schools and kids). So now I'm seeing an out-of-town organization, or its supporter, threatening to harm our school district. What's wrong with this picture?
Eric, as I know you do NOT want to negatively impact JJ, Burton, Marshall etc., I hope you're taking note.
SFUSD is out of line in banning JROTC from its education curricullum. To equate JROTC with discriminatory practices against gays is flat wrong. Who sets policy in America - the military or the government? If you don't like the national policy (set by Congress/President Clinton)do something about it at the national level on election day. Your one chance to influence people to think the same way you do is to talk to those who are in ROTC programs - if the only option you leave them is military academy attendance, your opportunity to influence them is zero. Taking it out on a bunch of school kids who benefit from the education, discipline, and pride in their country is a cowardly act perpetuated by cowardly people with hidden agendas. Shame on you.
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