Our blog is a tool box. Make it work for you. Here you will find data, studies, and perspectives that inform the discussion about school choice. Send stories of events in your state. Tell us about studies that clarify issues. Do your own studies. Use the information you find here to advocate for League positions.

COMMENT by pressing the ‘Continue Reading’ button and scroll to the space provided.

CLICK THE PICTURES on the banner to see the FEATURE STORY. LEGISLATION, and LAWSUITS.

VISIT THE COMMITTEES. You will see the latest on national school reform issues. Learn about school and teacher ACCOUNTABILITY, CURRICULUM, LAWS, MANAGEMENT, FACILITY issues, and VOUCHER concerns. We will post questions of the week about the hot topics. Participate through our contact icon.

STUDY THE RESOURCES. Here you will find sources of information. They will grow with your help. Use the Search bar to locate categories of resources. Write articles and make fact sheets for your own groups. Send what you create to share with others.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLOG TO RECEIVE EMAIL NOTICES OF NEW POSTS.

Statistics Don’t Tell It All: A Story About Two Michigan Schools

Posted on June 23, 2015June 23, 2015 by Sue Legg

Some of us believe in data. I usually do. They tell stories unless you read closely. Here is a story of two schools that seem to be the same, but one excelled in third grade reading and the other did not. None of the usual reasons apply.

It is time to read closely.

There is a bumble bee in the story that gives us hope. Hope matters.

Continue reading→

CHARTER SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT: HYPE VS. EVIDENCE

Posted on June 22, 2015September 12, 2015 by Sue Legg

Meredith Machen sent this link from Education Justice.

Reliable sources of information are not easy to find. Here is one I find very useful. It has state-by-state links with information about recent legal cases and publishes newsletters on education issues with legal implications.

The one that follows pinpoints misleading information that is published in the media. It breaks down achievement comparisons to show what scores tell us about how charters play the achievement game.

Continue reading→

Charters in Perspective: A Quick Quiz and Answers

Posted on June 21, 2015June 21, 2015 by Sue Legg

Are you aware of the Spencer Foundation’s Charter in Perspective Project? Issues are presented from different perspectives e.g. parental choice, preservation of public schools, and test beds for innovation.

Just for fun, here are some quick questions drawn from information on the site.

What percentage of students are enrolled in charter schools in the U.S.? What is the percentage in New Orleans?
Is public opinion about charter schools well informed?
On average, how do traditional and charter students compare on achievement gains?

If you prefer a Common Core critical thinking question, you might ask: