My friend Gary Larson emailed from California to report that the state set a record this year for the most new public charter schools to open. This fall, 103 charter schools were considered new charter schools, with 89 charter schools opening their doors for the first time. In addition, 14 new charter schools were considered by the California Department of Education new, since they were ‘re-designations’ of previously chartered schools under new state authorizing rules.
Man. Where I live it takes years to open that many charter schools. I have taken some heat on this blog for noting how uninspiring a couple of cute little charter schools can be when we’re faced with such a massive systemic education problem.
California seems to get it, and they also get that without playing politics (hardball politics) you never, ever make a dent.
Note: Operators of cute little charter schools can complain about this post at joewilliams-at-dfer.org. Show me that you have enough fire in the belly to do it!