Charter School, What?

The September, 2009 issue of Phi Delta Kappan list the Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools. The Gallop Poll asked numerous questions concerning charter schools and the charter school movement. Almost two out of three Americans approve of charter schools. While the approval rating for charter schools has increased 15% over the past five years, there is clear evidence that the nation is split on the facts about charter schools. The majority of Americans believe charter schools can teach religion, charge tuition or select who attends the school based on ability.

While it is true that charter schools are free of many bureaucratic policies, we are still held to a very high standard and must follow "public education" standards.

All STRIDE Parents should be able to Correct Misunderstandings:
1. STRIDE (charter schools) are held to ALL academic standards of No Child Left Behind. Our students take the state test and STRIDE is held accountable for their performance.
2. STRIDE accepts ALL students and CANNOT choose students based on ability, race, gender, disability, religion, etc. We conduct an annual lottery for new incoming students and STRIDE maintains and embraces a diverse student population.
3. STRIDE is TUITION FREE...FREE...WE DO NOT CHARGE...PUBLIC SCHOOL
4. STRIDE does not teach religion. We respect religion and teach about religion in a historical context as it pertains to learning objectives.

The support for charter schools is clear and growing. President Obama supports charters and Education Secretary Duncan stated, "The charter movement is one of the most profound changes in American Education- bringing new options to under served communities and introducing competition and innovation into the education system."

My challange to parents and staff is to be able to effectivly correct the misunderstandings about STRIDE within the community.

-Jason Ulbrich, Education Director