Would I send my child to this school?
Bari Katz, the co-founder and former Director of Student Life at the Achievement First Crown Heights High School, has written an incredibly insightful and thought-provoking essay on Achievement First’s model, describing both its strengths and what she described as its fundamental flaw. If you have given any thought to the Achievement First debate, please take [...]
Board of Regents say AF isn’t good enough for Cranston…but it’s fine for Providence?
It’s amazing how much you can learn about people–and the system they represent–by reading between the lines of their decisions. I was at the Board of Regents meeting today, and what I saw there taught me a lot about the different levels of value those in power assign to the different communities they are supposed [...]
Achievement First Secret #4 – Nothing Says 21st Century Education Like Segregation
Do charter schools have to teach all kids in the community equally? As they find them, as they are? This blog post from Wait, What in Connecticut, looking at the enrollment data of several charter schools, including Achievement First schools, argues no. Perhaps most disturbing of all is the fact that despite Connecticut’s urban areas [...]
Achievement First Secret # 3 – Treat kids like scholars?
According to the Achievement First website, this person is part of their leadership team: Chi Tschang - Regional Superintendent Mr. Tschang is responsible for driving high student achievement by overseeing a portfolio of schools and supporting Achievement First principals in developing and implementing rigorous academic programs and positive school cultures. Previously, Mr. Tschang founded KIPP Academy [...]
Achievement First Secret #2 – Just Don’t Deal With Kids. Lock them up and force them Out
Teaching kids is tough work. Achievement First seems to have found a short cut through the hard stuff though – Here is another story about their track record on New York City from NYDAILYNEWS.COM: She has served detention for slouching, humming and failing to look her teachers in the eye. It’s no surprise that former honors [...]
Achievement First Secret #1 – Pick on kids with Autism
Much has been made of the (mostly by themselves) of the untested results of Achievement First schools. AF is the Charter school operator that wants to run the Mayoral Academy in Cranston. But where has the scutiny been? I will give the beat reporters in the Providence Journal credit – I think they have done [...]
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