Government-run schools continue to fail.
We shouldn’t be surprised. Monopolies rarely serve customers well.
People call them “public schools,” but “government-run” is more accurate. After all, charter schools are open to the public. Private supermarkets are open to the public longer than “public” schools.
International tests show that American children do not learn as well as children from other countries. They’ve fared even worse during the pandemic as our teacher workforce keeps schools closed.
It’s even worse in my state of New York, where big government and unions thrive. Here, children’s test scores are well below the national average. In New York City, the scores are even lower.
But here’s a dramatic exception: Success Academy succeeds where public schools fail.
The chain, led by former Democratic City Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz, currently operates more than 50 schools.
On math tests, they outperformed all schools in New York State. However, most of the children at Success Academy come from low-income families.
“This is redefining public education in America,” Success’s LaMae de Jongh says in my new video. “Our black and Hispanic students are performing two, three times better in math than their peers.”
how? By trying new things.
At Success Schools, principals spend time in each classroom providing advice to teachers.
One teacher told us, “They were telling me things I couldn’t see.”
“Some teachers don’t like being watched and criticized,” I said to Joan.
“But they’re getting better!” she replied. “As they get better, their scholars will do better and their educators will feel more successful. That’s what you want!”
Class hours at Success Academy are longer. Children usually stay until 4:30pm, some stay later.
Some parents pull their children out because of the extra demands. “That’s why their test scores are so high!” complained critics. “Children who drop out raise the average test scores of those who stay.”
Maybe they will. But for the thousands of kids at successful charter schools, high expectations are OK thing.
Talking to the kids there, I was surprised when 7 year olds told me they were “looking forward” to going to school! I’ve never done it. I was told that learning to read was “amazing!”
This is why many parents are eager to get their children into Success Academy. Nearly 13,000 more families applied than the school had room for. Therefore, the school will draw lots to decide who can enroll.
The chain wanted to bring its magic to more kids, but they weren’t allowed! “Progressive” politicians limit the number of people they can serve.
“I hate privatizers. I want to stop them,” said former Mayor Bill de Blasio. He closed Harlem’s most successful charter school.
The current mayor isn’t as bad, but New York’s restrictions on charter schools remain.
Educational institutions just don’t like competition.
Public school advocates say competition “takes away funding” from public schools.
That’s a lie.
Indeed, public school enrollment is declining. Today, more and more parents are homeschooling and sending their children to charter and private schools. But spending on public schools continues to rise. The government always spends money more!
Additionally, as students leave, public schools are left with more money per student. That’s because the government provides $18,000 per student to charter schools like Success. Public schools receive nearly $36,000!
For half the money, Success Academy does better.
Most high school students never take an Advanced Placement test. About half of the people who take the test in my state pass.
But at Success Academy, all Children take exams. And 80% passed!
“These kids must be miserable!” I told Joan. “They’ve been working.”
“Why?” She smiled. “They had a lot of fun learning.”
And, it’s not always homework. She points out that success requires “chess, debate, drama, music.” “These are not add-ons; they are part of our time.”
Success does make teachers work harder. Teacher turnover is high.
But so what? Our goal is for children to succeed. At Success Academy, they do it!
One student told me: “It would be unfair not to do this. Everyone Get this opportunity.
He is right. That’s not fair.
All children should have this choice.
Copyright 2024 JFS Productions
