HR 1162: Constitutional Amendment - Charter Schools
A very important piece of legislation signed by the Governor in 2012 was HR 1162: A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Georgia. On Tuesday November 6, 2012 the people of Georgia will vote to approve a constitutional amendment that will overturn a 2011 Georgia Supreme Court decision that ruled it is unconstitutional for the Georgia State Legislature to create special schools (Charter Schools) without local school board approval. HR 1162 passed with the required two thirds super majorities in both the House and Senate 123-48 and 40-16 respectively. Governor Deal signed it May 3, 2012.
Amending the Georgia Constitution is not a task to be taken lightly and the citizens of Forsyth County need to understand the implications of their vote before making a decision at the polls. This is important for many reasons, to include the financial implications of HR 1162. If the amendment is adopted by the people of Georgia, state money will follow students enrolled in Charter schools. Right now state money flows to local schools boards as well as local property taxes. HR 1162 will authorize state dollars to flow to Charter schools following the student.
The average state dollars per student across Georgia is $4,290. This state money will follow the student to the charter school. The state is also going to provide some extra dollars approximating what the poorest five systems in the state are able to pay. This means an additional $1,000 to $2,000 will follow the child meaning an average of $6,000 of state money will follow the child. The average local dollars per student is $3,687. That remains at the local level meaning the local schools still get funding for children they don't need to provide services.
HR 1162 allows people in the counties to apply for a State Charter to open a Charter school. If the people in the counties want to establish a Christian school, an Aviation Academy, or Tennis School you apply to a newly created Committee in Atlanta. This committee will approve the new Charter and the local schools Boards will not have authority to turn down the Charter application.
Any school authorized by the State of Georgia is a public school. It is not a private school and they are all held accountable for all student achievement requirements of other public schools, plus the additional commitments they made in their charter. They do not have entrance requirements and are still subject to all federal laws and other state laws other than Title 20, which may be waived at the states discretion.
There are pros and cons to all decisions. On the pro side;
- It gives parents more control of the children’s education.
- Public charter schools are accountable for results, open to all students at no cost, and often outperform traditional public schools. If the State charter school does not perform it must be shut down. State public charter schools in Georgia have outperformed traditional schools in their first year of operation, despite getting significantly less funding than traditional schools. Eighty-three percent of all start up charters that opened last year made Adequate Yearly Performance (AYP) as measured by, No Child Left Behind, in their first year of operation; 72% of Title I charters made AYP versus 69.4% of traditional Title I schools. In the Atlanta Public School system 55% of their total 100 schools made AYP in 2011. Of the charter schools, 9 of 13 or 69.2% made AYP.
- Parents, students, and teachers want more charter schools. The vast majority of teachers, parents and students agree that more public school options are a good thing. Yet, on average, four children are waiting for each available spot in a state authorized public charter school, meaning the other three sets of children and parents are stuck in a school they want to escape. A small minority of school system administrative officials believe they should be the sole decider on when charters are approved or denied.
On the con side;
- Redirecting state funds when local and municipal school revenues are coming up short is irresponsible. Only state funds follow the student. Local funds remain in the Title I schools. If 1,000 students leave for Charter schools the local Title I schools keep those property taxes even though they have less students to serve.
- Local control is removed and transferred to the state. The proposed amendment would enable political appointees to override the decisions of local school boards and local voters and re-direct tax funds to any “special school” the state creates or designates.
- Makes taxation without representation constitutional. It enables the General Assembly to re-direct tax funds to any type of special school over the objections of local boards and local taxpayers. The funds would be spent by political appointees, who have no obligation to respect the wishes of voters. There is no appeals process, no referendum and no proof that a school was denied authorization or is even necessary.
Regardless where you stand on the issue it is important to learn as much as possible to make an informed vote. Amending the Constitution of Georgia is a serious matter and it should not be taken lightly.
Elizabeth Hooper
1:41 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Please review your facts;
1) state money currently flows to state charter schools and locally authorized charter schools get both state and local funding. The state can, under current law, authorize state charter schools. So why do we need HR 1162? Good question.
2) HR 1162 will most certainly NOT allow a charter commission to approve Christian schools or a tennis academy. The first would be illegal and the second would be ridiculous.
Thomas Hart
10:10 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
My understanding is the Supreme Court ruling created uncertainty by adding the word "exclusive" to the power of local school boards. Any education governance from the state level could be challenged. The constitutionality of even the State Board of Education to grant charter approval is one lawsuit away from being struck down. HR 1162 is the mechanism that clarifies the constitutionality of the state to approve and fund charter petitions. I guess HR 1162 could have been designed to clarify that power for the State Board of Education, but I would hesitate to dump this considerable responsibility on top of their existing workload.
William Evelyn Jr.
4:07 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Elizabeth - my facts are straight. The reason 1162 is put into place is to ensure that a bureaucratic public school system does not limit the choices of parents on which schools to send their children.
At this point in time, local school boards can refuse the Charter. In order to give the state the authority to charter these schools, a deal was made to only allow state money to follow the children.
As far as I am concerned. The local school boards should not have the authority to turn down a charter or any other school for that matter. If the charter of private school wants to open all money should follow the student.
Frank Jones
11:38 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Bill...In a political environment where the Republican establishment is advocating "local control" (i.e. more state control, less federal control), our Republican party wants to remove local control of schools and consolidate power at the state level. Seems a bit hypocrital and ironic.
HR 1162 and its accompanying legislation does more than allow state money to follow the children...It allows disproportionate state funding to follow the child. That just shouts "separate but unequal".
You have your opinion...I have my opinion. My opinion is that the locally elected school board has a better understanding of the community's needs. My opinion is that for-profit charter organizations would rather spend lobbying dollars at the state level (to influence/buy a few politicians) than take their case to the many districts they want to infiltrate.
Thomas Hart
2:32 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Frank… to quote Inigo Montoya, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means”. “Local control” always refers to the taxpayer/voter/parent. Electing our BOE is just one of the ways we exercise local control. When we elect a BOE we do not relinquish our authority, we entrust it. Voting for 1162 will share this trust with the state. The state cannot force parents to send their children to the charter school. It is the parent’s choice. If the school does not perform, parents will not choose to attend. Local Control.
You are correct that more state money (“disproportionate”) will follow a student to a state charter school than would be allocated to a student at a conventional public school. This is to offset the fact that local property tax collections will not follow the student to the charter school. If you are proposing that a student can be properly educated with just the regular state allocation then we need to revisit the 2013 CCSD budget and our current millage rate.
Frank Jones
9:55 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thomas...You almost have a convincing argument, however, you don't understand the purpose of tax revenues...They're supposed to be used for the common good, not individual choice. Tax revenues should be allocated by duly-elected politicians/officials who are accountable to the public. If the officials do a bad good, we vote them out. If the individual chooses poorly, there's no recourse and we all lose.
I can think of no area besides education where people demand the right to choose where money is spent. In your line of reasoning, people should be allowed to allocate "their" individual tax dollars to:
-fire stations vs. fire extinguisher
-police vs private security
-parks vs. Six Flags
-library vs. book from Barnes & Noble
-military vs. their own AR-15
"Local Control" = "Locally Elected Official"
Your argument that charter schools can't properly educate children without a disproportionate share a state taxes is probably true, but that runs contrary to the pro-charter argument that charter schools are more efficient and cheaper than public schools. We're constantly told that public schools receive too much money, have bloated overhead and charters are more efficient. Now you're saying the charters aren't efficient. Which is it? It can't be both!
Lastly, you've always had a choice...you can use public services are not. You can choose to:
-Ride the bus or drive your car
-Use the park or buy some acreage
-Attend public schools or go private
Thomas Hart
10:34 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Frank,
People choose how their money is spent in many public endeavors. I will direct you to the recent T-Splost vote. That was a rather loud choice against where their money would be spent. I would also add that they voted for the E-Splost in past elections. Frankly, Frank, give the people a choice and they have proven they will choose well.
As far as efficiency I will simply point to the 2013 budgets of the Cherokee County School System and of Cherokee Charter Academy. CCSD has budgeted total spending of approximately $10,500 per student while CCA has budgeted total spending of approximately $7,500 per student. I was very impressed with CCA’s first year CRCT scores to boot. Maybe these numbers will clarify your misperception.
Frank Jones
11:22 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thomas...People voted to kill T-Splost. As a result, the population isn't going to send money to the state and the state isn't going to spend it. But T-Splost has nothing to do with individual people deciding and telling the state where to send state tax revenues.
If people were given the right to say, "I paid $2,000 in transportation taxes and I want my $2,000 to pay for repaving my street", that would be the equivalent of saying "I paid local school taxes and I want my child's allocated dollars to follow my child". But that analysis fails miserable since, most people with children pay significantly less in taxes than what they want to follow their child.
As to your budget issue...see the other thread where I explain budgeting and blast holes in your $10,500 vs $7,500 argument.
As to your assertion that "give the people a choice and they have proven they will choose well", that is often false. How so...? People make bad choices every single day! Decisions like:
-Buying homes they couldn't afford
-Choosing interest-only loans
-Financing 100% of their homes
-Losing money in their 401k retirement plans
-Not having retirement plans
-Buying nice electronics, HDTV service, cellphone but not having a rainy day fund
-Not saving for child's college
As to CCA's CRCT scores, they're not as good as you think. See the CRCT thread on this site: http://canton-ga.patch.com/articles/cherokee-charter
Listening
4:29 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Your facts are not straight. Your article says "If the amendment is adopted by the people of Georgia, state money will follow students enrolled in Charter schools. Right now state money flows to local schools boards as well as local property taxes. HR 1162 will authorize state dollars to flow to Charter schools following the student." State money CURRENTLY goes to the charter school. We don't need 1162 to accomplish what is already being accomplished. Your article is misleading.
William Evelyn Jr.
9:52 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
Listening - I understand your point. It was not mean't to be misleading.
Stevie Nicks
4:42 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
It gives parents more control of the children’s education. quote from above
This statement should read it gives SOME parents more control of the(ir) children's education.
Those parents that can afford to provide transportation and uniforms.
Those parents who are knowledgable about their choices.
Those parents who live in a nice communtiy where recruiting for the charter school happened....mostly swim tennis communities, did the school recruit at any of the apartments or mobile home parks?
Those students who were chosen for the lottery but were discouraged from attending because they have special needs?
What about students that move to Cherokee mid year?
What about the students on the wait list?
I agree with one point...amending the constitution is a serious matter and should not happen in this case.
Frank Jones
9:57 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Stevie...Well said!
Elizabeth Hooper
7:00 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Frank,
You're absolutely right about what the legislature is trying to clarify. I will be writing a blog on that for the Alpharetta Milton Patch on Sunday. The last commission was able to send state funding and local funding to their appointed charter schools. That is what triggered the lawsuit in my view. This time around HB 797 says only state funding will apply. Does anyone really think the legislature won't change that at the first opportunity. The local boards and superintendents should view HR 1162 as another attempt at a home invasion. That's the way I view it - public schools are the taxpayers home as well. We need to get to the battle stations. Just look at what the parent groups in Florida are doing. Florida is the model certain lawmakers hold up for Georgia. Sound bites and cheery slogans like "HR 1162 is the closest thing to real democracy" are no substitute for clarity, strategy and a vision for education. There isn't one!
William Evelyn Jr.
7:17 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Elizabeth - have you ever noticed that the more schools fail, the more money the "Ed-ureacracy" expect more money and power. Also public schools are NOT the taxpayers home. Public schools are the taxpayers jail. Georgia's schools are nearly the worst performing in the nation by all standards of testing. Georgia has pumped state, local and federal money into the system for absolutely not return on investment.
The Georgia Department of Education needs to be abolished. Schools need to be privatized whereby parents make the decisions what their child needs to be taught either from a vocational standpoint or college prep.
Lastly parents need to understand that not all children should nor want to attend a university or college. Why mire them in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of debt just so they can say they have that piece of paper.
You are not a failure if you don't have a four year college degree. There are millionaires and people living perfectly happy and prosperous lives that never attended university or college.
Top down centralized planning of education works no better than top down centralized planning of the economy.
Interesting conversation here if you care to read it.
http://www.mikechurch.com/transcripts/3000-years-and-we-dont-know-education-cue-laugh-track/
Dean Sheridan
10:16 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
@Bill. Could not have written it better myself. Several of us are going to start a HS work programs. Local business owners will donate minimal time and volunteer their businesses as qualified locations to learn a trade or skill. We are losing a generation of service providers - and theses jobs pay well. Lets call them " internships". We are crafting this now; working with ideas and local HS so they can get HS credits. Would love input from folks like yourself who have common sense. I will make the one comment that many miss with all this but believe it was mentioned somewhere indifferently. When passed 1162 A) Was done the right way by amendment; something most powers to be feel to tough to make work - just look at all the Executive powers being wheedled lately in just about any venue. B) It gives guaranteed freedom of choice to send a child to a public school too.
Frank Jones
8:26 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Bill...Public schools = Taxpayer's jail? That's insane and does nothing to further an intelligent discussion. If you're going to blog, please use intelligence.
There are various rankings that show Georgia's school performance as good and bad. Behind each of the rankings there are facts and circumstances that MUST be understood before concluding how well GA educates its children.
For instance, the SAT test scores for 2011 (http://professionals.collegeboard.com/data-reports-research/sat/cb-seniors-2011/tables) show that Georgia ranks 48th in the nation. That sounds bad and offers a "talking point" for anti-public school people but the rank alone says NOTHING. The 48th is based upon the MEAN score of ALL test takers from Georgia vs. those of other states.
The MEAN score (1445) in Georgia is lower simply because Georgia had the fifth highest SAT participation rate (80%) in the nation. Simply put, Georgia has a lot of students taking the test who shouldn't be taking it!
The number of test takers is crucial to the rankings. The top 11 states had participation rates of < 10%. The top 21 states had participation rates of < 20%. The only thing Georgia has to do to reach "Top 10" is to reduce the number of test takers!
Even with 80% participation, GA's mean score was only 178 points below the top 20 score of 1623.
Mr. Evelyn, facts are facts and distorting them is a dis-service to the public. I ask that you not mislead to advance your agenda.
William Evelyn Jr.
5:48 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sorry Frank - Why do you think governments around the world want to interfere in our schools?
The administrative state knows that if it can capture the minds of children early it can imprint and get them to accept a lifetime of servitude. In fact, it can convince them to put their own chains on. Those chains are the looting of the American people for an ever increasing welfare state, American empire and wars around the globe, and acceptance of the dictates of a few politicians. By taking over the education apparatus it is easier to control and loot 309 million people.
The moment that students step into government schools they are taught that government will give them a secure future, give them medicine and healthcare, protect their environment, and do all for the good of the people. They inure them to the shackles and tyranny of the State.
The Department of Education went self aware in December 1980 since then millions of children have been indoctrinated into the state apparatus and it is up to the parents and all of us to unmask the criminals who administer this State apparatus. Show them the lies and distortions of the State.
We must take back our education system and with more-and-more of alternative media available. We must fight the propaganda delivered by the State and bring the people back to their senses. We must take back our schools and get government out of it 100%. Government corrupts education as it does religion and business.
Jennifer Hall
7:17 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
While Georgia does rank 48th for SAT, it’s also a well documented fact that GA students take the SAT in disproportionately high numbers compared to other states. The reason is the HOPE scholarship. In most states ONLY college bound students take the SAT. In Georgia, most students take the SAT to qualify for HOPE, which will see IF they can go to college. Even the most conservative folks out there (Kyle Wingfield of the AJC, for one) agree that this is a fact and has a drag factor on the state’s SAT scores. It’s also well documented that if you sorted the scores for each state by social-economic status (SES) and other measures, some of Georgia’s scores actually come in ahead of states like Wisconsin and Iowa. Ranking SAT scores by state is really a better indicator of SES than quality of education. Again, see Kyle Wingfield -- he published this research 18 months ago.
Now, when you take a look at the other measures of educational quality that are published by reputable sources, you will find that Georgia compares very favorably with other states. In January of this past year, Education Week, a well-respected national publication, ranked Georgia 7th overall, with sub rankings on various categories. If you’re going to put that “48th,” explain what those numbers mean, and state that there are other ways to rank. On some of those we are as high as 7th! Cherokee County’s recent ACT ranking means that if CC were a state, we’d rank 11th in the nation?
Thomas Hart
1:29 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Jennifer,
I agree that the SAT is not a suitable metric for national ranking because of the Hope Scholarship effect. I will also point out that in the most recent results (2011) 3 of the 4 states with higher participation rates than Georgia scored better than Georgia in all 3 categories with a tie in one category with one state (Critical Reading/NY). It would also be unwise to cherry pick analysis and sub-categories to enhance Georgia’s perceived performance. The focus quickly goes from polishing children to polishing statistics. I would be interested in what sources you would go to for an honest gut check of where we really are and I would be interested in your opinion of what is achievable (and measurable) in Georgia and what it would cost (average per student) to get there. If we continue to complacently compare ourselves to the average, we will be average. 13 years ago we aspired to be average in CCSD because we were floundering. To continue to compare ourselves to the average today is a failure of leadership, vision, and accountability.
Jennifer Hall
7:19 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Speaking of other ways to rank, let’s talk about graduation rate. Understanding facts is important here too. Georgia’s calculation includes only students who finish in four years and one summer. Students who stay in school but finish in five, students who move out of state but cannot be tracked (they could have enrolled in a non-public school and records weren’t requested, etc.) do not count toward the graduation rate. You cannot take the current graduation rate in Cherokee County of approximately 75% and automatically assume that 25% are dropouts. This calculation method was well-explained by Janet Read at the school board chair debate. However, even after Ms. Read eloquently explained this, Mr. Dukes continued to insist that we had a 25% dropout rate. Whether he couldn’t understand her explanation or chose not to, I don’t know. But I will always point out when someone is choosing to use statistics incorrectly. (Danny also stated that Janet voted to raise taxes 7 years out of 8, which even Michael Geist, a Dukes supporter, will tell you is incorrect.)
Thomas Hart
1:30 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Jennifer,
I will point out that Dr. Petruzielo has taken steps to vet his graduation metric by following up, on a periodic basis, with non-enrolled students. This effort mitigated the negative impact to the graduation metric when the change to the “4-year” metric was implemented. As a consequence of CCSD’s mitigation efforts, the disturbing conclusion is that CCSD’s 75% graduation rate, while a flawed metric, is a better indicator than you give it credit. What really distresses me is the lack of vision towards a solution. None of our highly educated, credentialed, and capable administrators will set a hard goal, define a feasible path, elaborate the true cost, and accept accountability for its execution. They are content to compare themselves to the average.
No More Bullies
9:20 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Mr. Hart, the school district has multiple initiatives launched in the last 10 years to enhance the graduation rate. The District won a national award for these efforts (American School Board Journal's MAGNA award) in 2008. The creation of ninth grade academies, expansion of Polaris Evening School to two campuses, credit recovery programs, CrossRoads (now ACE Academy), summer school offerings..... Those who like to sit back and chant "status quo" either don't know the meaning of the term or they are unfamiliar with what has been happening in Cherokee's public schools over the last decade.
No More Bullies
9:43 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
http://www.asbj.com/MainMenuCategory/Supplements/MagnaAwards/MagnaArchive/2008Magna.pdf
Thomas Hart
10:16 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
No More Bullies,
While I applaud any efforts to improve the graduation rate my concern was not about CCSD not getting enough awards. They ring of ineffectual good intentions. The graduation rate is %75. After 10 years of initiatives, it is %75. Do you consider this effective? Is this the best we can expect from a high performing school system? Please say it isn’t.
No More Bullies
10:48 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Read the article. The award is a national acknowledgement of how CCSD is working on graduation rates. You alleged nothing was being done, that there was no vision of a solution. That is clearly not the case.
Thomas Hart
11:22 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
No More Bullies,
Pardon my frustration. I see a 75% graduation rate as an outrage but I don't hear outrage from the school system. I don't hear outrage from you. Awards are prestigious and nice for the school but they are empty fluff to the dropout. What do you think our graduation rate could be?
The poor graduation rate is only the tip of the iceberg. Students that graduate face difficulties also. Many graduates require expensive remediation classes when they get to college. A student that has to take remediation classes has a much lower likelihood of completing a degree.
Graduates that don't go to college presumably suffer the same deficiencies as their college bound piers. They do not get the benefit of remediation.
We need to produce college/career ready graduates and we need to be above 90% graduation rate.
Thomas Hart
11:29 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Let me add that I have heard good things about Polaris. That seems to be a good effort and CCSD, until recently, was taking a hit on metrics for keeping the Polaris school.
Jennifer Hall
7:20 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Finally, I will point out to you that in the state of Georgia, “local control” is defined as the local education agency (LEA.) It is not defined as the parent. As Frank Jones correctly points out, parents/citizens have ALWAYS had the choice to use public services or not. Schools, libraries, and parks… use them if you wish. Parents have always had choices in education. But as a citizen and taxpayer, I want the taxpayer dollars to go toward PUBLIC schools.
Susan L.
8:16 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Well said, Jennifer Hall!!
Thomas Hart
1:31 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Jennifer,
Please refer to the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. “…That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…”. I submit to you that HR 1162 is the peaceful and proper way for the public to bring about needed change in our education system. I don’t think this would even be an issue if the educational establishments and their professional associations had not lost the trust of the people. Your assertion that “local control” is defined by the State of Georgia as the LEA is correct but you should not employ this technical definition to replace “of the people, by the people, for the people” with “of the bureaucracy, by the bureaucracy, and for the bureaucracy.”
Monty Brewster
11:55 am on Sunday, August 26, 2012
The public schools are not failing. They are being failed by legislators. Standardized testing is failing our children. We all know this, but there isn't a single legislator that will admit it.
No Name
2:53 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
Yet another perspective on charter schools from someone in the Reagan DOE.
http://www.newswithviews.com/iserbyt/iserbyt107.htm
Monty Brewster
8:43 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
From part 2 -
"Those pushing for charter schools know that they have to get rid of elected school boards in order to be able to change education from academics to totalitarian workforce training. Elected school board members cannot be expected to eliminate their role of overseeing the expenditure of taxpayers’ hard-earned money and/or the shift from academic education to workforce training. So, “off with their heads”, so to speak. Move to appointed boards whose role is to implement the changes. "
Sounds like Cherokee County...
Elizabeth Hooper
3:32 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Thomas,
HR 1162 is a sneaky way for "for-profit" EMO's to gain access to your tax dollars. Please tell me once again where you read in the legislation - HB 797 - that the Charter Commission is charged with improving failing schools? That is misleading of you to keep bringing it up. HB 797 is the most pathetic bill imaginable considering the true needs of children in SOME public schools. HB 797 says the commission should look for high qaulity schools that can replicate themselves - think EMO's. It is insulting to all Georgians that this bill is being passed off as education reform.
Jennifer - your comments are factual and well reasoned - please consider reading by newly started blog on the Alpharetta-Milton Patch. Devoted exclusively to HR 1162 and HB 797.
Thomas Hart
5:18 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Elizabeth,
I think you are mistaken. I did not "bring up" or assert anything about HB 797. Please limit your disagreement with me to those positions I have actually posted.
Elizabeth Hooper
6:57 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Does that mean this whole discussion isn't about whether you will vote for HR1162 or not? A vote for 1162 is a vote for HB 797. What bill are you talking about?
Thomas Hart
8:43 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Please refer to my previous posts for my positions. If you have to add to or extrapolate my position to form your argument it reflects weakly on you and hinders honest debate.
Elizabeth Hooper
10:31 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Thomas,
The blog you are commenting on is entitled "HR 1162." You have been arguing in support of the amendment have you not? My point is that you are by default in favor of HB 797. That is an honest conclusion and a fact. As I have demonstrated, HB797 says nothing about improving education in Georgia. Doesn't that give you pause about the true intent of the sponsors of this bill. We both care about improving education. I have no doubt that school boards and superintendents could improve education outcomes for all students. HR 1162 /HB797 will solve nothing. It is a reckless bill that any school choice advocate should be angry about. The National Alliance for Charter schools rated Maine's charter bill highly because it was targeted, specific and explicit.
HR 1162 has none of those characteristics. It will be harmful to all children.
Thomas Hart
11:57 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Elizabeth,
Interesting read. Georgia’s Charter Law ranking slipped from #7 to #14 because the Supreme Court ruling removed the state authorizer. Before the ruling Georgia was in the same tier as Maine. The Maine Law allows charter schools to apply directly to the State Charter Schools Commission. I believe Georgia’s law is on an appeal basis after refusal of a local BOE. The Maine law allows charter schools to enter into contracts with educational service providers for education or management services. Maine’s law will attempt to have all local, state, and federal funds follow the child to their charter school. The Maine law provides that funding will be transferred from the local school district of residence to the charter school. I think Georgia HB 797 requires local funding to stay with the school of residence even if the student doesn’t attend. The Maine law also provides for student transportation cost.
Are you saying you would support a bill more like the Maine legislation instead of 1162 and its funding bill HB 797?
Juan Dela Cruz
3:32 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
HB 797 provides for the establishment of a state charter schools commission and for requirements for state-created charter schools. The bill is contingent upon the passage of House Resolution 1162, a corresponding constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot in November.
So, once 1162 is passed, the other bill that provides funding at state level can be acted upon.